Marking a significant milestone in the 20th anniversary year of the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS), the Czech Republic has officially joined the ENRS as a full member. The accession was formalized on 19 May 2025 during a signing ceremony in Prague, in the presence of representatives from the Czech government and ENRS member states.
After nearly two decades of cooperation as an observer country, the Czech Republic’s full membership signals not only institutional commitment but also a strong declaration of its dedication to fostering dialogue about Europe’s 20th-century history.
“I am sincerely pleased that today the Czech Republic – after years of having the status of an associated country – is becoming a full member of the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity,” said Jana Kotalíková, Head of the Office of the Czech Government. “Thirty-five years ago, no one would have expected that the shadows of Nazi occupation and communist totalitarianism would stay with us for so long – even as long as the oppression itself. The European Network Remembrance and Solidarity is the platform where we can meet as friends, share experiences, and discuss. We can work on coming to terms with our shared past – and create the best possible common future.”
The ENRS, established in 2005, promotes international dialogue on the history of 20th-century Europe, with the aim of fostering mutual understanding across national and cultural lines. The Network engages in a wide range of initiatives, including exhibitions, academic conferences, public debates, educational programs, and publications.
“The Czech Republic's decision to join the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity is an important sign of trust in our international cooperation and recognition of the daily work of the teams and institutions involved in the Network's activities,” said Hanna Wróblewska, Minister of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland. “In times of growing disinformation, imperial ambitions and the passing of witnesses to history, education, dialogue and remembrance are becoming the most important tasks. Only this way can we build a future based on understanding, empathy and cooperation. I am delighted that we can celebrate this important moment today and get down to work.”
Since the Network’s inception, over 20 Czech institutions have participated in joint projects, including the Czech Academy of Sciences, the Václav Havel Library, Post Bellum Foundation, and several Czech universities. Notable collaborations include the 2014 European Remembrance Symposium in Prague and the international exhibition After the Great War: A New Europe 1918–1923, which launched in the Czech capital in 2018.
The Czech Republic will now be represented in the ENRS by the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes (ÚSTR), which will also nominate Czech representatives to ENRS advisory bodies.
“The dialogue about the history of the 20th century and its consequences opens certain opportunities for us,” said Rafał Rogulski, Director of the ENRS. “Thanks to this dialogue, we can understand each other better, we can make decisions, we can learn from the mistakes of our predecessors so as not to repeat them. This is what I wish for you and myself.”
Rogulski also expressed his gratitude to those involved in the accession process, including Dr. Ladislav Kudrna, Director of ÚSTR; Kamil Nedvědický, Deputy Director of ÚSTR; and diplomat Michael Žantovský.
The Czech Republic’s full membership of the ENRS marks a new chapter in its long-standing engagement with the Network and a renewed commitment to cultivating European remembrance and solidarity.
