Concert for Freedom to Commemorate the Events of 17 November
12. November 2025On Monday, 17 November 2025, Zlín will commemorate the Day of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy and International Students’ Day. The traditional Concert for Freedom, with a solemn ceremony, will take place at Peace Square, accompanied by a student march and a cultural programme.
The main programme will begin at 2pm, featuring performances by two legendary Zlín-based bands – Cestující hudba and F-Dur Jazzband. At 4.30pm, there will be a commemorative ceremony at the plaque near the Town Hall, where representatives from the Municipality of Zlín, Zlín Regional Authority, TBU and students will speak. The event will also include performances by students from the Zlín School of Art (ZUŠ Zlín), the choir of TGM Grammar School, and the songs Gaudeamus Igitur and Modlitba pro Martu. The Honour Guard at the plaque will be provided by the Zlín Scout Institute.
At 5pm, a candlelit student procession from Tomas Bata University (TBU) will set off from the square, passing through Comenius Park and heading towards the Václav Havel Bench. The public is welcome to join the procession. At the site, from 5.20pm, there will be a gathering featuring a brass sextet from the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra.
Symbolically, at 5.11pm, both the Tomáš Baťa Memorial and the Zlín Municipal Theatre will light up in the colours of the national tricolour. At 5.45pm, students will have the opportunity to enjoy a musical performance and light refreshments in front of the Rectorate.
The celebrations will also feature several exhibitions – including Make Some Space by Libuše and Vladimír Jarcovják, at the Kolektiv.Haus space, which will be open for the last time on this day, and the outdoor exhibition Freedom at the Highest Price in Školní Street.
The event is organised by the Student Union of Tomas Bata University in Zlín, the Municipality of Zlín, the cultural centre Živý Zlín and Zlínská Křižovatka.