Actor Ondřej Vetchý has become the recipient of the Arnošt Lustig Award for 2025. The award is presented for courage, bravery, humanity, and justice. He received it at the residence of the mayor of Prague from President Petr Pavel and Jan Pirk, Chair of the Award Committee.
Vetchý was honored for his long-standing civic stance, his defense of democratic values, and his demonstration of personal responsibility for the state of society. “Over the long term and in public, he has stood against extremist and totalitarian ideologies and actively supports the defense of freedom, even at the cost of personal attacks and loss of personal comfort. At the same time, he consistently upholds the principles of justice. And equally important is his humanity – concrete and quiet help for others and respect for human dignity,” said Pirk, among other things. Words of appreciation were also expressed by President Pavel. “He embodies exactly the values that are the motto of the Arnošt Lustig Award. He is involved in many beneficial activities, protects the vulnerable not only here but also abroad, and speaks out on current social issues,” he said. Vetchý admitted that upon learning he was the laureate, he felt a sense of inadequacy, unease, and great responsibility. “Standing here now, I do not really know how to handle it, how to accept it. I am not doing anything unique – I am simply accepting responsibility for the time and space I share with you. I just cannot remain indifferent,” he said.
Bohuslav Svoboda, Jan Pirk, Petr Pavel, Ondřej Vetchý, Tomáš Pojar
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