President of Czech Republic reflects on his daylong trip around Nebraska
By Theodore Ball, On Air Host/Multimedia Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media
Sept. 24, 2026, 7:46 p.m. ·
Czech Republic President Petr Pavel spent the final day of his U.S. visit in Nebraska on Thursday, with stops at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and in Wilber, and a meeting with Gov. Jim Pillen.
Pavel said Nebraska holds a special place in the Czech-American relationship.
At UNL, Pavel met with University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold and Interim Chancellor Katherine Ankerson and took part in a campus discussion on Nebraska's Czech heritage. Pavel said the university's Czech program, which dates to 1907, is the longest-serving Czech program at an American university.
In Wilber, which President Ronald Reagan declared the "Czech Capital of the United States" in 1987, Pavel toured the town's museum and met with residents.
"Given the number of population around 2,000, I had a feeling that almost everyone was present there," Pavel said.
Pavel said the town hosts more than 45,000 people during its annual Czech festival, with more than 1,000 volunteers.
"I was simply moved to how devoted they are to promote this heritage for next generations, because quite often, even in my own country, we are not that enthusiastic about traditions as they were," Pavel said.
Pillen, who led a trade mission to the Czech Republic, said he spent several days in the Czech countryside with farmers and cattlemen.
"I felt like I was in rural Nebraska," Pillen said.
Pillen said the trip also left an impression on him as the United States marked its 250th anniversary. He said Czech people have a fresh, deep appreciation for freedom because of the events of 1989 and before.
"It's really important and we need to speak into existence how important, how blessed we are, and that freedom is not free and how extraordinary our democracy is," Pillen said.
Pavel said he discussed expanding ties between businesses, universities and people over lunch, including in new technologies and in methods of agriculture and water management. He said those areas are as important to Nebraska as they are to the Czech Republic.
Pillen named agriculture, education, research, healthcare, manufacturing, food and livestock as opportunities for partnership.
"We're pretty good in agriculture, but anybody who thinks they have all the answers usually is going to end up on the bottom of the hill," Pillen said. "I think we can collaborate and have mutual benefits."
Pavel said he expects the ties between Nebraska and the Czech Republic to grow.
"Wherever there is goodwill, there will be sooner or later an action. And I believe that we are both inclined to act rather than talk," Pavel said. "So we will move it further and very quickly."