Previously, the Jan Opletal Awards were presented once every two years, but thanks to the large number of committed young people who deserve to be recognized, and also thanks to cooperation with the association Díky, že můžem (Thank You for That We Can), the format of the awards has changed. Since 2023, one laureate has been awarded annually in each of the three categories. Specifically, we award a high school student, a university student, and a personality under the age of 30. Details are provided in the Jan Opletal Award Statute.
The awards have been presented every year since 2023 on 11 November, the anniversary of the death of Jan Opletal, a student at Charles University's Faculty of Medicine who was fatally wounded during an anti-Nazi demonstration in 1939. His sacrifice became a symbol of the struggle for freedom and democracy.
The winners of this year's Jan Opletal Awards will be decided at the end of October by the Jan Opletal Awards Committee, composed of personalities selected by the Student Chamber of the Council of Higher Education Institutions and the association Díky, že můžem (Thank You For That We Can). The winners will receive a material gift and a commemorative statuette by young sculptor Sára Skoczová on Tuesday, 11 November, at the Studio Hrdinů theater in Prague.
Since last year, anyone can nominate laureates, so don't hesitate to recognize talented young people in your community with a nomination. Perhaps the story of the nominee will impress the Jan Opletal Award Committee so much that they will receive the award. Nominating is easy—just fill out the form on the website by October 24, 2025.
---