The President arrived at the stand in Prague 1, which is surrounded by bricks painted with various motifs, shortly before 3 p.m. The small space was immediately filled with crowds who enthusiastically took pictures of the head of state. Pavel greeted all the organizers and also shook hands with some passers-by.
Through cooperation with various artists, the Cihla event has been dedicated to helping people with disabilities for 25 years – thus it is one of the oldest such benefit events in the Czech Republic. Collection to support modern social services for people with mental disabilities is also one of the most successful. Thanks to the sold bricks, for example, it was possible to build, renovate or equip more than 50 buildings in which people with disabilities found a home and a job.
“The event is beautiful in that it takes place in an environment where tens of thousands of people pass by in a day. A lot of such actions need to be done. It probably has a lot of attention, many people stop here, including tourists. So it also has such an international reach,” appreciated Pavel.
The President also emphasized that the Czechs are a nation that knows how to behave properly. “The civilization of any society is recognized by how I am able to help the weaker ones. And I think we’re capable of that,” said the head of state, adding that this collection is a good example of that.
President Petr Pavel visited the Akce Cihla fundraiser stand in the center of Prague. | Blesk:Tonda Tran
A brick with a signature
The president bought one such brick himself and chose a more or less symbolic and minimalist motif – he signed with a blue marker on a yellow background. “I’m not graphically gifted,” he joked. He then placed the signed brick among the others that surround the entire stand.
In return for his support, the president received several gifts from the foundation – one of them was a large painting by the photographer Jiří Macht, who also photographed Havel. The artist at the booth made an art wall made up of his photos.
President Petr Pavel visited the Akce Cihla fundraiser stand in the center of Prague. | Blesk:Tonda Tran
The painting is a portrait of Pavel on a motorcycle. “I’m glad I’m wearing a helmet on her,” the president joked.
Pavel also received several snacks from the organizers, including expensive ermine and drownings, which it was made for him by people with mental or medical disabilities in a protected social enterprise.