On 1st November, a charity bazaar and a presentation of design glass jewellery production was held at the Embassy compound. This event also served to introduce newly reconstructed embassy premises to the diplomatic corps and to the friends of the Embassy. Music entertainment was provided by kids from “Creative House Foundation” orphanage. Paintings by kids of this organisation were also put on sale at auction. Furthermore, 4 young Iraqi entrepreneurs presented their businesses and offered their products for sale. Earnings from both the auction and sale of the entrepreneurs, amounting to over USD 1200 were donated to the orphanage. Czech jeweller Alena Chládková also demonstrated design glass jewellery hand-making.

On 2nd November, Mrs. Chládková presented the glass-jewellery-making craft at Babylon Hotel in Baghdad. One of the Iraqi TVs recorded and aired a TV report about this display. Ambassador Jan Vyčítal also provided a short commentary in the report.

On 4th November, the State reception on the occasion of centennial of the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic took place in Babylon Hotel. In his opening speech, Ambassador Jan Vyčítal, among other things, recalled the special situation of countries like Czechia and Iraq that lie at geographic centres of strategic regions, or reminded the need to pay appropriate attention to the quality of transformation process after difficult years. Furthermore, he also highlighted that this year Czech and Iraqi republics celebrate 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Secretary of the Speaker of Council of Representatives (CoR) Mohamed Halbousi, and Ala Talabani, a CoR member, delivered speeches on the importance of the Czech-Iraqi relations. The event, attended by about 200 guests, was again enriched by music performed by kids from “Creative House Foundation” who also played Iraqi and Czech national anthem. The reception was also an opportunity to introduce Deputy Defence Attaché of the Czech Republic accredited to Jordan and recently also to Iraq. In addition, Czech Armed Forces service members deployed in Iraq within the Global Coalition against Daesh operation participated. Partners of the State reception included Czech companies leading in their respective fields: Tatra Defence Industrial Ltd., Aero Vodochody, Technoexport and Lázně Darkov (Spa Darkov).

The centennial events attracted considerable attention of the international community, representatives of Iraqi ministries of defence and foreign affairs and friends of Czechia in Iraq. Iraqi authorities congratulated the Czech Republic also through a number of bouquets and cards of congratulations.

Ambassador Jan Vyčítal's speech (DOCX, 15 KB)