Press Advisories

8. 6. 201623:53

Premier Sobotka Handed over the Presidency of the Visegrad Group to Prime Minister of Poland Beata Szydlova and Delivered a Symbolic Gift

At the close of a summit of the prime ministers of Visegrad Group countries held in Prague on 8 June 2016, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka presented a painting of St. Adalbert to Polish Premier Beata Szydlova. The act marked the symbolic handover of the presidency of the Visegrad Group between the two countries.

Although Premier Sobotka will represent V4 as its president at the upcoming assembly of the European Council in June, Poland will officially take over the presidency on 1 July 2016.

Considered one of the patrons of Czech Lands, St. Adalbert is at the same time widely revered in Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary. Adalbert undertook missions to both Poland and Hungary. The legends say that he baptized Kind Stephan I of Hungary. His remains are buried in Gniezno, Poland. He is considered one of the patrons of the Polish nation and one of the most popular saints.

During his life, St. Adalbert was an important person who congregated, among others, with the Pope and the Roman Emperor. His lifetime work brought together Central European countries, but St. Adalbert's importance went beyond the bounds of the region. St. Adalbert can be seen as a symbol of anchoring Central Europe in the culture of Europe's Western nations. Two thousand seventeen will mark 1,020 years since St. Adalbert's martyrdom death.

The author of the painting is unknown, but the depiction of St. Adalbert originated in the workshop of Jan Očko of Vlašim, and represents a high point of fine art produced during the reign of Charles IV.

On the occasion, the Czech prime minister also assured Premier Szydlova of his full support for the priorities of the Polish presidency and wished her much success in her endeavors.