21st year of international knowledge contest

On 26 May 2026, the ceremonial announcement of the results of the 21st edition of the international knowledge competition Lidice for the 21st Century took place at the Gallery of the Central Bohemian Region in Kutná Hora. The event was attended by more than 200 guests, primarily pupils and students from the Czech Republic and abroad who ranked among the most successful participants of this year’s competition.

The competition is organized annually by the Lidice Memorial, the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes, and the Faculty of Arts of Charles University. Its aim is to preserve the memory of the victims of the Lidice tragedy while fostering historical awareness among young people about key events of the 20th century, totalitarian regimes, and their reflection in the present day.

This year’s edition was symbolically held in Kutná Hora, a city with a rich historical tradition. The venue of GASK and its Congress Centre, which connects historical heritage with contemporary art and public dialogue, reflects the core idea of the competition: memory is not static, but alive and evolving. The younger generation plays a crucial role in carrying it forward.

The ceremony was attended by a number of distinguished guests from the fields of culture, education, and public life. Among them were Jiří Pitín, a surviving Lidice child, and Sylvie Klánová, daughter of academic sculptor Marie Uchytilová, the author of the Memorial to the Children Victims of War.

Awards were presented to the winning students by the Director of the Lidice Memorial, PhDr. Eduard Stehlík, Ph.D., MBA, the First Deputy Director of the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes, JUDr. Kamil Nedvědický, Ph.D., Deputy Minister of Education Mgr. Zdeněk Kettner, and the Director of the competition, Mgr. Kamila Varaďová.

“When I was among those who helped establish the ‘Lidice for the 21st Century’ competition years ago, our goal was to ensure that the tragic historical events our country and the world experienced during World War II would not remain mere empty concepts in textbooks for young people. We had no idea how much interest the competition would generate. At the time, we expected perhaps up to five hundred participants per year and only a few editions. We were wrong—and I am truly glad for that. Over the twenty-one years of its existence, more than 40,000 young people from the Czech Republic and abroad have taken part. That is an extraordinary number. What makes me even happier is that this year’s edition, like those before it, clearly shows that today’s youth have a deep interest in history. They not only possess extensive knowledge but are also capable of critical thinking and drawing parallels with the world they live in. That is undoubtedly an encouraging message for our shared future,” said PhDr. Eduard Stehlík, Ph.D., MBA, Director of the Lidice Memorial.

“I consider the Lidice for the 21st Century competition to be an exceptionally important educational project that reaches young people in a way that goes beyond standard history teaching. It is not only about knowledge of historical facts and events, but above all about understanding human stories, democratic values, and individual responsibility for society. The Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes has long supported initiatives that lead young people to critical thinking and an active interest in modern history. The tragedy of Lidice is not only a symbol of Nazi brutality, but also a warning against the consequences of hatred, fanaticism, and the loss of freedom and human dignity.

I greatly appreciate all the students who took part in the competition. Their interest in history shows that collective memory remains alive and that the younger generation understands the importance of protecting democratic values in today’s world. The ability to understand the past is one of the most important prerequisites for a responsible future,” said Kamil Nedvědický, First Deputy Director of the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes.

This year’s competition was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, and the Governor of the Central Bohemian Region, Mgr. Petra Pecková.

The programme of the ceremonial day included not only the award ceremony for the best individuals and schools, but also cultural performances and readings of selected literary works by well-known Czech actors Marie Málková, Vilém Udatný, and Daniel Krejčík. A supplementary programme in the historic setting of Kutná Hora was also part of the event.

The organizers would also like to thank all partners and supporters, without whose support the competition could not take place. Special thanks go to the organizing institutions, cooperating ministries, the Central Bohemian Region, and other partners who long-term support education and the development of young people.

Over more than two decades, the Lidice for the 21st Century competition has established itself as a key educational project focused on modern history. Each year, it engages thousands of pupils and students and creates a space for dialogue about history, democratic values, and individual responsibility.

The ceremonial announcement is therefore not only a recognition of the best participants, but above all a reminder that knowledge of history and the ability to think critically remain essential competencies for life in the 21st century.

Photos from the event and a collection of selected literary works are available on the website in the “Past Editions” section.

A report from the event was broadcast on 27 May 2026 in the programme Zprávičky on ČT Déčko:
https://decko.ceskatelevize.cz/zpravicky