University rectors to boycott state celebrations at Prague castle

Most Czech university rectors will boycott the celebrations of Czechoslovak Independence Day held at Prague Castle on October 28, the Czech Rectors Conference said. 21 out of 26 rectors of Czech public universities will not attend the event in solidarity with two of their colleagues – Masaryk University’s Mikuláš Bek and South Bohemian University’s Libor Grubhoffer – who were not invited to attend over past arguments with President Miloš Zeman who formally hosts the event. Prague Mayor Tomáš Hudeček has announced he would not be present either, along with mayors of a number of other cities and towns. A spokeswoman for the president said it was a personal decision of each invitee whether they will attend or not.