Sudeten German Association Awards Human Rights Prize to Czech Reconciliation Festival
Prague, The Gulf Observer: At its weekend conference, the Landsmannschaft, the association representing Sudeten Germans expelled from Czechoslovakia after the Second World War and their descendants, awarded its Human Rights Prize to the Meeting Brno festival in recognition of its ongoing reconciliation efforts.
The multi-genre Meeting Brno festival, held annually in the Czech Republic since 2016, has become a symbol of Czech-German dialogue and remembrance. Its central event, the Reconciliation Pilgrimage, commemorates the expulsion of the German-speaking population of Brno in 1945. In a powerful symbolic reversal, the pilgrimage retraces the route from Pohořelice to Brno, opposite to the forced march of German civilians 80 years ago.
The award was presented in appreciation of the festival’s dedication to fostering understanding, healing historical wounds, and promoting human rights. Accepting the honor, festival director Petr Kalousek reiterated his commitment to the cause and extended an invitation to the Sudeten German community to hold their next congress in Brno. His statement was met with a standing ovation from attendees.
The recognition marks a significant moment in Czech-German relations, highlighting how cultural initiatives can build bridges between communities once divided by war and displacement.
