Korzo Národní fundraiser passes 9 million crowns in just days

The fundraiser for “Korzo Národní”, a project commemorating the events of 17 November on Prague’s Národní street, had raised more than nine million crowns by this evening. The money came from individuals, organizations and local governments. The organizers from the “Díky, že můžem” initiative launched the fundraiser on Wednesday, after the project received no support from the Ministry of Culture this year.

The amount raised is more than triple all the grants the project has received over the past three years.

What the ministry says

According to the ministry’s earlier statement, the project has received 2.7 million crowns in grants since 2023: 500,000 crowns in 2023, 1.5 million a year later and 700,000 crowns last year. This year, the ministry explained, the project did not meet the conditions of the specific grant call. “This is not a political decision, nor a questioning of the importance of marking 17 November. It is about following rules set in advance, which must apply equally to all applicants,” the ministry said.

According to Culture Minister Oto Klempíř (of the “Motoristé” party), the grant programme covers only round anniversaries in whole decades, which this year’s 37th anniversary of the events of 1989 does not meet.

What happens next

Shortly after launching the fundraiser, the organizers said the event would take place on 17 November in full, and that funds beyond this year’s costs would form a reserve to cover shortfalls in the coming years. “The solidarity of the public and the speed with which we managed to secure this year’s edition are strong proof of a functioning civil society. We are immensely grateful. But we also realize that the success of one fundraiser cannot overshadow the reality that culture is facing right now,” said Bára Stárek, executive director of “Díky, že můžem”, on Friday.

For comparison, the “Korzo” fundraiser on the same platform raised about 93,360 crowns in 2023, 128,800 crowns a year later and 280,980 crowns in 2025. Further support comes on the day of the commemoration itself through the “online candle” and street collection boxes. According to the organization’s representatives, public money is crucial this year because there is no grant from the Ministry of Culture.

Around Prague, based on reporting by seznamzpravy.cz