Culture Minister turns down grant for 37th anniversary of 1989 events, prompting dispute with organizers

In an interview, Minister Klempíř explained that the cultural grant programme is limited to anniversaries falling on whole decades, leaving the 37th anniversary of the 1989 events without support. The organizers of the annual 17 November street festivities, the association Díky, že můžem, lodged their funding request on 30 April and only learned of the denial after nearly six months, just under a month before the event.

Repeated attempts to meet the minister were cancelled, and the association condemned the lack of predictable dialogue. While rejecting the label of a "private business," the group highlighted that their programme, Korzo Národní, is financed through a public collection, foundations, institutions, corporate partners and private donors. Despite the shortfall, they plan to deliver the full schedule of about 160 free or donation-based activities and will seek additional public contributions to cover the gap.