The last official military parade in Prague took place in 1985 when the Czechoslovakian People’s Army paraded and displayed their military equipment. Another one is due in a couple of weeks, commemorating the 90th anniversary of the sovereignty of Czechoslovakia’s foundation on 28th October. This time it won’t be located on Letná plain because that is currently occupied by the Blanka tunnel construction, so it will be held in Evropská Street. Lately the army has been undergoing a lot of preparation for it, marking the street sizes in Prague 6 at the Bechyně airport and using it as training grounds. The last training is scheduled for October the 27th, with the real thing kicking off on the 28th. Apparently the official army participation will not be too big, a mere two thousand soldiers, however, spectators will also be able to see the motor vehicles and hardware equipment, such as the new Tatra and Land Rover trucks etc. Just as in 2005, the skies will be crossed by the Grippen fighters, L-39 jets and choppers. Vehicles from the fire-fighting, medical, and other divisions of the united rescue system, will also make an appearance. The parade will also include various accompanying programmes.

Prague and its inhabitants will certainly enjoy the military vehicles to their fullest as about 200 of them are scheduled to arrive, thereby covering the whole history of Czech military. The accompanying programme will be scattered all over the city. The ride of honour of 90 veteran cars should be quite a sight, for example. As a commemoration of the ninety-year-long history of our sovereign state various exhibitions will be prepared in the downtown areas of the city, as will a special rarity, the queue for bananas, commemorating the sixties and the market issues. Every historical period will be simulated by dummies in period clothing and uniforms, various vehicle types etc. It’s safe to assume that a lot of people will come to Prague, especially for this occasion as military parades are a rare sight nowadays. Military hardware is still very popular, however, as indicated by the huge interest people took in the outdoor parade Bahna in Strašnice (this year’s attendance was 50 thousand people), or the regular events organized by the Vojenský historický ústav (Military History Institute) in Kbely or Lešany featuring exhibitions of military history.