The fourth edition of the festival focused on the value of freedom—gained just over thirty years ago. We turned our attention to life before 1989, reflecting on how individuals and groups who didn’t fit the mould shaped by the totalitarian regime experienced that era. Together with a number of inspiring guests, we asked ourselves whether we truly have what we once hoped for—and what responsibility we now bear as citizens of a free state. We also welcomed international guests from other post-communist countries in Central Europe, who offered insights into the current social climate in nations with a shared historical experience.
Many conflicts arise from misunderstanding—and often, misunderstanding stems from indifference. And yet, such divides can be bridged through something as simple as meeting one another and truly listening. That’s why each year, we organise the Pilgrimage of Reconciliation to remember the victims of post-war violence among the German-speaking residents of Brno.
This year’s Pilgrimage of Reconciliation was joined by survivors of the so-called “Brno death march,” who shared with festival visitors their personal memories of life in Brno, the trauma of expulsion, and their later acceptance in new homelands. The final gathering on Mendel Square became a celebration of today’s friendly Czech-German relations, marking the 30th anniversary of the city partnership between Brno and Stuttgart.
As a symbolic part of the pilgrimage, we held a commemorative ceremony in the notorious courtyard of the Kaunitz Student Halls, where we honoured the memory of those who were executed there between 1939 and 1945—mostly resistance fighters and Czech patriots. The event was attended by the Mayor of Brno, the Lord Mayor of Stuttgart, and the German Ambassador.
Together with the South Moravian branch of Post Bellum, we also curated a multimedia exhibition titled Brno Liberated!?, located in a unique underground space near the symbolic site of the Red Army monument on Moravian Square. Marking thirty years since the Velvet Revolution, the exhibition focused on the fight for freedom in Brno from 1945 to 1989, featuring testimonies of those who witnessed the turning points of our modern history.
Our discussion forum dedicated to the dissident movement offered audiences a chance to meet with prominent figures who actively opposed the regime before 1989. Among the guests were Karel Schwarzenberg, Anna Šabatová, Petr Fiala, Milan Uhde, and others.
Want to learn more about the fourth edition of Meeting Brno? Have a look at our Annual Report.
