7 unknown facts about the UNESCO Anniversary Calendar
Besides the anniversaries of tangible and intangible heritage being added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, there are other reasons to celebrate. For example, when a Czech connection appears in the UNESCO Anniversary Calendar. In the past, the world remembered Charles IV, John Amos Comenius, Bohumil Hrabal, and Antonín Dvořák alongside us. In the years 2026–2027, two extraordinary names will make it to the global calendar: Tomáš Baťa and Arnošt Lustig. And because UNESCO’s commemorations are anything but dull formalities, there will be exhibitions, festivals, and events that will excite everyone, whether they are travel enthusiasts, literature lovers, design admirers, or fans of modern architecture.
1. Tomáš Baťa in the Prestigious UNESCO Calendar
The story of the visionary and founder of the shoe empire Tomáš Baťa is inspiring for the entire world, which is why he has made it into the UNESCO Anniversary Calendar. The 150th anniversary of Tomáš Baťa’s birth will be celebrated in style in Zlín, Luhačovice, Otrokovice, and Partizánske, his partner city in Slovakia.
A new exhibition called Dream City is being developed at the Tomáš Baťa Memorial, which will immerse visitors in the dreams and plans of architect František Lýdie Gahura, who designed the memorial along with other iconic buildings in Zlín. Visitors can look forward to a traveling exhibition Baťa’s World, a forum conference, an exhibition of illustrations called Traces of Tomáš Baťa, and a design City Module. Zlín will show that Baťa is not just a shoe brand, but a story of courage, innovation, and modern urban planning admired globally.
2. Arnošt Lustig: A Writer Who Spoke to the World
The centenary of Arnošt Lustig’s birth not only commemorates his work but also his indomitable spirit. This writer, who survived concentration camps, devoted his life to voicing the values of human dignity, justifiably earning a spot in the UNESCO Calendar. There are plans for readings, exhibitions, and literary evenings. Whether you travel to Prague, where he lived and created, or attend one of the festivals, Lustig’s stories will resonate directly with you, just as they once did with readers worldwide.
3. The Year of Czech Music – From Smetana to Rusalka
In the Czech Republic, we traditionally celebrate the Year of Czech Music every year ending in four. In 2024, we mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of composer Bedřich Smetana (1824–1884), although Bedřich Smetana was not the only one celebrated. Alongside him, we also remember the numerous anniversaries of other significant Czech composers, including Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904), Leoš Janáček (1854–1928), Bohuslav Martinů (1890–1959), Josef Suk (1874–1935), and many other musical greats. On Kudy z nudy, you can explore Czech music through museums and memorials, visit places where famous Czech operas are performed, or delve into the story of the renowned opera Rusalka.
4. John Amos Comenius: A Czech Genius on a Global Scale
UNESCO has commemorated the legacy of John Amos Comenius (1592–1670) not once but twice, in 2020 and 2022. Known as the Teacher of Nations, he is among the greatest figures in Czech history and continues to inspire educators, philosophers, and researchers across continents. Consider visiting his legacy in Uherský Brod, Brandýs nad Orlicí, or Naarden in The Netherlands, where he is buried. You might discover that the motto learning through play remains as relevant as ever.
5. Charles IV – The King Who Changed the Map of Europe
In 2016, the UNESCO Calendar celebrated the 700th anniversary of the birth of Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, one of the most significant figures in our history. Charles IV (1316–1378) came from the Luxembourg and Přemysl dynasties. The Czech king and, from 1355 to 1378, the Holy Roman Emperor was one of the most educated and diplomatically skilled rulers of his time. His diplomacy brought about more than warfare and significantly expanded his dynasty’s influence through purchases, marriages, and inheritances. Under Charles’s reign, Prague became the political, economic, and cultural center – eventually becoming the capital – of the Holy Roman Empire. To celebrate 700 years since the birth of Charles IV, institutions like Charles University, Karlštejn Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and others honored this exceptional ruler who elevated Prague among Europe’s capitals, not only as a monarch but also as a diplomat, patron, and visionary.
6. Cyril and Methodius, Hrabal, Wichterle… and Other Notable Names
In its UNESCO anniversary calendar, a number of significant events were highlighted. In 2014, it marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of writer Bohumil Hrabal, and the 1150th anniversary of the arrival of Cyril and Methodius, who brought writing, faith, and education. Other important anniversaries included figures like scientist Otto Wichterle, artist Jiří Trnka, architect, businessman, and art patron Josef Hlávka, and filmmaker Karel Zeman. UNESCO also recognized the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the Prague Conservatory in 2011, one of the oldest music schools in the world and the first music educational institution in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
7. What is the UNESCO Anniversary Calendar and Why Does it Matter?
Unlike the World Heritage List, which includes monuments and intangible traditions, the UNESCO Anniversary Calendar commemorates personalities and events with an international impact. Each country can nominate one or two entries every two years. The competition is fierce, similar to that of the list of sites vying for UNESCO status.
The selection is approved by the UNESCO General Conference, which assesses cultural, historical, and social contributions. This ensures that the names of Czech personalities make it onto the pages of world history – showcasing Czechia as a country with an extraordinary cultural heritage.
What’s next? The calendar for 2028 and 2029 is currently in preparation. Let’s keep our fingers crossed—perhaps we will again hear names we can be rightly proud of.
