Preparations of the Cyrillo-Methodian anniversary were launched in Rome

27. 5. 2012

Excellent ensembles from the Zlín region showed their art – the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra from Zlín, conducted by Stanislav Vavřínek, and the Personality of the Zlín region Jiří Pavlica, with Hradišťan. The music program “Porta Peregrinorum” – Pilgrims’ Gate was composed as a tribute to Saints Cyril and Methodius.

The program in Rome was attended by significant representatives of secular and religious life from various European countries – Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas, Czech Minister of Culture Alena Hanáková, Cardinals Dominik Duka and Miloslav Vlk or the Archbishop of Olomouc Jan Graubner. The Zlín region was represented by the statutory deputy of the Zlín region governor, Libor Lukáš, the deputy of the governor, Jindřich Ondruš, and councilor Milena Kovaříková.

“I believe that the events prepared for the anniversary year, in which also the Zlín region is privileged to participate, will help to familiarize the general public with these personages of our as well as of European history. Anchoring in fundamental values and the ability to lead a dialogue even with opponents of different opinions, these are things that do not lose anything in their topicality, not even in this time. It is rather vice versa,” commented the launched preparations of the Cyrillo-Methodian anniversary the statutory deputy of the governor Libor Lukáš.

The deputy of the governor responsible for culture, tourism and cooperation with churches, Jindřich Ondruš, stated, “Slavonic missionaries worked in the period when the situation in Europe was far from being easy. It found itself in a certain civilizational boundary which, in fact, we are experiencing now as well. The legacy of the Solun brothers is so big and still topical that it has much to offer also in the present time.” The deputy Ondruš has already spoken on the issue of the Velehrad place of pilgrimage, where the celebrations will culminate, and said that it had still much to offer even in view of the more and more favored pilgrim tourism.

Before the concert itself, there was a festive mass in the Basilica of Saint Praxedes to honor Saint Cyril who lived in the adjacent monastery. The mass was celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski and concelebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Miloslav Vlk with the Archbishop of Prague Cardinal Dominik Duka, OP. The Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra took care of music.

An important point in the visit to Rome was also the negotiation of Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas with the Vatican state secretary Tarcisio Berton on the future ratification of an interstate agreement between the Czech Republic and the Holy See, and a personal audience with Pope Benedict XVI. Petr Nečas informed the head of the Catholic Church about the progress in the preparations of the Czech Republic for the anniversary in 2013.

“It is important to appreciate the fact that Saints Cyril and Methodius as the patrons of Europe represent a topic, to which a number of activities have already been prepared and in which the state cooperates with the churches, with the academic world and with a number of non-profit organizations. It is a theme, which unites the society,” stated Prime Minister Petr Nečas.

The speech of Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Nečas before the concert:

The Speech of Prime Minister.pdf

Photos by Luděk Krušinský.