Czech activists returned the Ukrainian flag to the National Museum in Prague

The Kaputin Association held a peaceful demonstration of solidarity with Ukraine in the lobby and on the facade of the National Museum on Monday, March 30. 

Participants organized a dance performance during which they unfurled blue-and-yellow banners inside the building and later hung a flag from a window facing Wenceslas Square, Novinky reports. The activists emphasized that the removal of Ukrainian symbols from government institutions is a sign of subservience to Russia and pandering to populist politicians.

The organizers of the protest expressed their opposition to the government’s current policies, accusing it of cutting military aid and enacting laws that bring the country closer to Russian influence. The date was chosen symbolically, as Prime Minister Andrej Babiš had proposed designating March 30 as Czech Flag Day. Representatives of Kaputin emphasized that Ukraine is currently doing more for the Czech Republic’s security than the government itself, fighting for democracy across the entire Western world.

The Ukrainian flag disappeared from the museum’s facade last August, replaced by a poster for an exhibition of fossils from Ethiopia. This is not the first time activists have tried to return the symbol to the building: in October, they attached it to the terrace railing, and in February, they projected a laser image onto the facade with a message about the need to defeat Russia. The museum’s management was not informed about the flash mob, which ended with security escorting the participants out without incident.

The Czech Republic has raised €4 million for generators in Kyiv.

The government is launching zero-interest loans for businesses to purchase generators and batteries. Entrepreneurs will be able to borrow up to 10 million hryvnias interest-free for a term of up to three years to keep their businesses running during the energy crisis.

Earlier, the Czech initiative Darek pro Putina (“A Gift for Putin”) announced a fundraiser for generators and batteries for Kyiv and raised 29 million Czech korunas (over one million euros) in the first two days.