On May 10, 2025, the Czech Embassy in Washington, D.C. opened its gates wide as part of the annual EU Open House, drawing visitors into an unforgettable experience of history, culture, music, and food. This year’s spotlight: the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the U.S. Army’s liberation of the Pilsen region under General Patton in 1945.
History Comes Alive
Inside the embassy, guests were transported back eight decades with a powerful exhibition curated by the Army Museum Prague, chronicling the presence of the U.S. Army in Czechoslovakia from 1944 to 1945. From original audio recordings and shortwave radio equipment used by the resistance, to the passionate storytelling by expert historians, visitors immersed themselves in a critical moment of Czech-American history. The WWII Vehicle Preservation Group also wowed the crowd, showcasing vintage military vehicles and gear—history you could literally touch.
Fashion, Jazz & Cultural Pride
Adding a modern twist to historical remembrance, fashion designer Petra Graffe and the Secondary School of Applied Arts in Uherské Hradiště presented a moving tribute through their collection, inspired by the bravery of WWII parachutists. Meanwhile, members of the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra filled the air with wartime-era jazz, echoing the joy of liberation across the embassy lawn.
Brad Linde is a saxophonist, educator, bandleader, and impresario in the Washington DC metro area, known as capital city’s contemporary cool king. He is the director of Jazz and Creative Music at Georgetown Day School and founder of the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra. He is a Washington Performing Arts MARS artist and an artist/ambassador for Rampone & Cazzani Handmade Italian Saxophones.
Cultural pride took center stage with vibrant performances by the Slavic American Sokol – Czech and Slovak School and Comenium Czech and Slovak School in Philadelphia, delighting audiences with traditional Czech and Slovak songs and dances. American Sokol Washington, D.C. also joined the celebration with more music that honored the shared heritage and resilience of Czech and Slovak communities.
A Toast to Freedom
No Czech celebration would be complete without great beer—and this year, the embassy introduced LIBERATOR, a Czech-style pilsner brewed in collaboration with 7 Locks Brewing. Of course, Pilsner Urquell, the original king of beers, flowed freely, offering guests a taste of Czechia’s world-famous brewing tradition.
Fashioning Peace and Diplomacy
As part of a broader celebration of diplomacy through art and style, the President Woodrow Wilson House launched the exhibition “Fashioning Power, Fashioning Peace.” Among the standout pieces: a garment worn by Eva Pavlová, First Lady of the Czech Republic, designed by Naďa Štěpánková—a striking reminder that diplomacy can speak through design.
Celebrating Europe Day
The event followed Europe Day on May 9, a time to celebrate unity, peace, and shared values across the continent. As a proud member of the European Union, Czechia continues to play an active role in shaping the future of Europe, while never forgetting the hard-fought freedoms of its past.
This year’s EU Open House at the Czech Embassy was more than an open door—it was an open heart, honoring the legacy of liberation and the enduring bond between the Czech Republic and the United States.