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A remembrance evening titled Two Years Later has been prepared by the University of West Bohemia in Plzeň for 4 December — exactly the same date when police rushed to the campus to investigate a reported shooting. Although it turned out to be a false alarm, the incident revived memories of the tragedy that shook the country on 21 December 2023, when fourteen people were killed in a shooting at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague.

The event, held in the university café Družba and starting at 7 p.m., is meant to honour the victims of that tragedy. Right at the beginning, student ombudspersons Anna Řehořová and Tereza Matějková, together with the university ombudsman Petr Šimon, will remind attendees of the support structures in place and the ways to seek help in difficult moments. Students and staff will also learn where to turn in case of danger and how to strengthen the sense of safety within the academic environment.

“None of us wants to relive the fear and anxiety we experienced here on 4 December last year. And none of us — thankfully — can truly imagine what unfolded at the Faculty of Arts on 21 December 2023. But that doesn’t mean we should give up on strengthening safety as a society and a community. On the contrary. By remembering these events together, we raise awareness and reshape the space we share as an academic body,” Šimon said.

The evening Two Years Later will also feature a reading by the collective Federální guláš, followed by an open mic. Anyone interested will be able to take part with their own reflection, text or thought. The programme will conclude with concerts by Václav Válek and David Jirka starting at 8:30 p.m.

According to the organising team, the event aims to create a safe and sensitive space for remembrance, reflection and simply being together at a time when no one should have to face such experiences alone. The evening is open not only to university students and staff, but also to the public.