Guests were welcomed in the foyer of the Great Hall of Karel Engliš at the Faculty of Law by giant puppets with oversized eyes, recalling the faces from Doleželová’s paintings. Rector of Masaryk University Martin Bareš referred to the artist at the very start, noting that three years ago her work found a permanent home at the University Centre Telč and that last summer her artistic estate became part of the university’s collections.
Bareš also recalled Václav Havel through several quotations, highlighting the importance of freedom and the similarity of “service” of, and to, the state and the universities. “Václav Havel reminded us that freedom is inseparable from responsibility,” the rector said, referring to Havel’s 1990 speech in which he spoke of his dream of a just and humane republic that serves people and where people serve it in return.
Freedom as a living university practice
“Masaryk University has a duty to serve people. Our communication should cultivate the sense of justice and help bridge the divides created by injustice,” Bareš added. He also expressed concern about the growing level of violence and tension that continues to claim innocent victims and again quoted Havel when he said: “Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.” Drawing a parallel with the university’s own history, Bareš reminded the audience that Masaryk University had survived attempts to shut it down and emerged stronger each time. “Masaryk University is a place where freedom is not just a word carved in stone but a living practice. Let us be guardians of the flame lit by T. G. Masaryk and rekindled by Václav Havel,” he concluded.
The reference to both figures during the ceremonial evening, traditionally linked with awarding the Masaryk University medals, was no coincidence. Among this year’s recipients were several people closely involved in presenting the work of Míla Doleželová. The Silver Medal of Masaryk University was awarded to Jana Horváthová, co-author of an extensive publication on Míla Doleželová, and to former Minister of Culture and long-standing collaborator of the University Centre Telč Václav Jehlička, who played a key role in creating the permanent exhibition of her art in Telč. The Gold Medal of Masaryk University was presented to Michael Žantovský, Václav Havel’s long-time spokesperson and adviser, diplomat and author of the biography Havel.
The Silver Medal of Masaryk University is awarded to leading figures for their outstanding scholarly work, strengthening the university’s reputation, developing ties with Czech and international institutions and other contributions to the university’s growth. One of the recipients this year was the Czech TV presenter Daniel Stach, who received the medal for popularising science and cultivating the relationships with various Czech institutions.
The Gold Medal recognises prominent figures in science, culture and public life for exceptional contributions to the development of science, culture and the arts at Masaryk University. Alongside Michael Žantovský, this year’s recipients included Augustinian priest and educator Juan Bautista Ignacio Provecho López and, as an institution, Universität für Weiterbildung Krems, represented by Rector Viktoria Weber, for its long-standing excellent partnership with Masaryk University.
Personal thanks and shared values
‘I accept the Gold Medal of Masaryk University with sincere gratitude, deep respect and humility,’ said Rector Viktoria Weber. She emphasised that she saw it primarily as recognition of long-term inspiring cooperation that plays a crucial role in the further development of education and research. She described Masaryk University as a symbol of academic excellence, social responsibility and international openness – values she considers essential for partner institutions as well. She also encouraged the continuation of dialogue and partnership between the two universities, built on mutual trust, shared values and a European spirit, highlighting the strength of research and teaching.
Provecho thanked the university on behalf of his order and described it as a great honour to be part of the ceremonial evening. He expressed gratitude for the recognition of his work focused on educating the younger generation and supporting education as a path to understanding the world, oneself and others. In his speech, he stressed the importance of faith as service to people, grounded in living in truth, openness to dialogue and respect for human dignity.
Michael Žantovský accepted the award with warm thanks and a personal reflection on his long-standing connection to Masaryk University and to Brno. The city, he said, had been a place of encounters with theatre, art and friends. He also recalled that it was in Brno, twenty-seven years ago, that he met his wife – another reason for his lasting gratitude for many personal and professional moments. He spoke about his unconventional life path, which led him from clinical psychology to presidential palaces and royal courts as an adviser to Václav Havel and later as a diplomat. While his journey may seem fragmented, he said, in hindsight he sees a certain order and method in it. “Thanks to Václav Havel, I came to believe that a person can and should strive for a meaningful existence, even if they consider it absurd,” Žantovský added.
The university leadership also decided to award a Bronze Medal of Masaryk University to elite MMA fighter and Faculty of Sports Studies graduate Jiří Procházka, founder of a foundation supporting seriously ill children. As Procházka was unable to attend the ceremony, he will receive the medal at another formal occasion. The same applies to Radka Vernerová, also a graduate of the Faculty of Sports Studies and founder of the children’s hospice Dům pro Julii, who will receive the Silver Medal of Masaryk University in the future.
The evening concluded in the foyer of the Great Hall with a cultural programme by Divadlo T.E.J.P., whose performers transformed the life and work of Míla Doleželová into living tableaux. The original painting Abandoned girl was also on display.
Silver Medal of Masaryk University
Luboš Bauer – long-time chair of the Masaryk University Trade Union Coordination Council, former vice-dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administration.
Since the founding of the Faculty of Economics and Administration, he worked at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Informatics, serving seven years as head of the department and three years as vice-dean. He is a member of the Masaryk University Emergency Committee, the Extended Rector’s Board and the university’s Claims Commission. He received the Silver Medal for his long-term outstanding service to Masaryk University.
Jiří Gruber – long-time member of the Masaryk University Board of Trustees, former chair of the synods of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren
He took part in discussing proposals for approving the university budget and strategic plan. He shared responsibility for overseeing the management of this public educational institution, approving key decisions and ensuring that Masaryk University fulfils its objectives and regulations. He received the Silver Medal for his long-term outstanding service to Masaryk University.
Jana Horváthová – director of the Museum of Romani Culture in Brno, lecturer at the Faculty of Arts
She has taught at Masaryk University since 2004, most recently courses on Romani history and culture in professional practice. She co-authored the comprehensive publication Míla Doleželová detailing the artist’s extraordinary work and life. She received the Silver Medal for her long-term outstanding service to Masaryk University and for strengthening its relationships with other Czech institutions.
Václav Jehlička – former mayor of Telč, former Minister of Culture (2007–2009), collaborator of the University Centre Telč
He initiated and helped establish the University Centre Telč, served as its programme director and continues to contribute to organising educational and cultural events with national and international reach. He played a significant role in creating the permanent exhibition of painter Míla Doleželová. He received the Silver Medal for his long-term outstanding service to Masaryk University and for strengthening the university’s relationships with other Czech and international institutions.
Jaroslav Klíma – member of the Masaryk University Technology Transfer Council, former member of the MU Scientific Board
His name is associated with the globally renowned Brno-based company Tescan and the newly emerging company Telight. He co-founded Tescan, specialising in electron microscopy, in 1991 and helped it establish a strong global presence. Thanks in part to his contribution, Brno has grown into a major global centre, producing one third of the world’s electron microscopes. He received the Silver Medal for strengthening the university’s relationships with other Czech and international institutions and for long-term development of disciplines pursued at Masaryk University.
Vít Slíva – graduate of Czech and Latin at the Faculty of Arts, poet
From 2004 to 2022, he taught Czech and Latin at the Bishop’s Grammar School in Brno. His poetry is influenced by his admiration for the work of poets František Halas and Vladimír Holan. From the late 1970s, he was involved in samizdat publishing of his texts and during the 1980s a loose group of poets known as the “Královo Pole circle” formed around him. He received the Silver Medal for his contribution to culture and education and for strengthening Masaryk University’s national standing.
Daniel Stach – television presenter and science communicator
He studied at the University of Economics in Prague and at Charles University. Since 2010, he has worked for Czech Television, where he presents programmes including Hyde Park Civilizace and special broadcasts. He has interviewed dozens of Nobel Prize laureates and many other leading researchers. He received the Silver Medal for his contributions to the popularisation of science and strengthening Masaryk University’s relationships with other Czech institutions.
Roman Vaněk – graduate of the Faculty of Law, long-time member of the Masaryk University Legislative Council
He works at the Faculty of Law as a lecturer at the Institute of Law and Technology, specialising in energy law. He received the Silver Medal for his long-term outstanding service to Masaryk University.
Gold Medal of Masaryk University
Universität für Weiterbildung Krems (Danube University Krems), represented by Rector Viktoria Weber
The university has worked with Masaryk University on numerous projects over the years. The current Erasmus+ agreement (Europe) covers the period 2022–2029, with key partner faculties at Masaryk University including the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Economics and Administration and the Faculty of Informatics. The cooperation focuses on blended mobility and projects addressing shared history and cultural heritage within cross-border regional development. The Gold Medal is awarded for long-term outstanding cooperation with Masaryk University.
Juan Bautista Ignacio Provecho López – Augustinian priest and educator
He serves as the provincial delegate of the Czech Province of the Order of St Augustine and since 1 February 2015 has administered the Abbey of Old Brno. He is also director of St Augustine’s kindergarten, primary school and grammar school and of the Parish Charity Prague 1 – Malá Strana. He previously worked in Brazil and has been active in the Czech Republic since 1997. He received the Gold Medal for his long-term outstanding service to Masaryk University and the Mendel Museum and for strengthening MU’s relationships with Czech and international institutions.
Michael Žantovský – journalist, writer, politician and diplomat
He has worked as a clinical psychologist, translator, interpreter, lyricist and journalist. In 1988–1989, he served as Prague correspondent for Reuters. From January 1990, he was press secretary and adviser to President Václav Havel. He later served as Czech ambassador to the United States, Israel and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. He is the author of numerous translations and of the biography Havel (2014). He teaches European–American relations at New York University in Prague, the course The totalitarian experience and how to survive it in the AEP CERGE programme and Moral foundations of society at CEVRO University. He received the Gold Medal for his long-term outstanding contributions to the development of public life, including his engagement in the struggle for human rights and dignity.
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