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Exhibition on General Heliodor Píka opens in Bucharest

On 13 May 2013, an exhibition commemorating General Heliodor Píka and his activities in Romania was opened in Cercul Militar National (Central army house) in Bucharest.

The exhibition was opened by Ambassador Jiří Šitler together with Prince Radu, State Secretary of the Ministry of National Defence Sebastian Huluban and Director of the Army house Col. Cristian Dorca. Among the guests were the veterans of World War II, representatives of Romanian institutions, historians, journalists and members of the diplomatic corps, chiefly the military attachés accredited to Romania. In his opening speech,  Ambassador Jiří ŠItler pointed out Heliodor Píka´s role as the advocate of freedom, decency and democracy and as a true friend of Romania. Prince Radu stressed that the event was “an act of civic and military conscience” and pointed out the Romanian Royal Family´s role in the building up of the alliance between Romania and Czechoslovakia. State Secretary Sebastian Huluban stated that the personality of General Píka is well-known among Romanian experts and historians.

The exhibition was prepared by the Museum of Silesia, more precisely the Second World War Memorial at Hrabyně. In Romania, Heliodor Píka served  as the Czechoslovak military attaché in 1932 – 37 and was active in the Czechoslovak Resistance movement  in 1939 – 40.  He is the holder of high Romanian decorations. In 1949, he became the first victim of communist show-trials in Czechoslovakia.

Magazic Istoric published a detailed material dedicated to the personality of Heliodor Píka in its May issue. 

The exhibition will last until 26 May. Location: Cercul Militar National, Sala Foaier (Bld. Regina Elisabeta).