On 15 October 2024, the Nostitz Palace hosted the ceremony of the International Visegrad Prize, which acknowledges outstanding projects and figures contributing to the development of cooperation and culture in the Visegrad countries (V4).

This year’s laureate is the export music organization SoundCzech, which has been supporting Czech and Central European music internationally.

The Deputy Minister of Interior Michal Šašek, along with the executive director of the Visegrad Fund (VF) Linda Kapustová Helbichová, presented the award to the music organization’s representatives in the Nostitz Palace. The Visegrad countries‘ Ministers of Culture decided on the awarding of the prize at a meeting in Bratislava in June 2023.

„Since its foundation, SoundCzech has been committed to making sure that music from the Czech Republic, as well as Central and Eastern Europe, finds its place in the world. It crosses over both genres and state borders. Cooperation with neighboring countries and V4 countries is a fundamental basis of its activities and projects like Roundabout V4 or the CEEntral Party joint initiative, which provides space to artists from Central and Eastern Europe to present themselves at prestigious festivals and conferences all around the world. The nomination of SoundCzech is not only an appreciation of its work but also a celebration of music as a universal language that brings us together. It was an honor for me and the director to present the International Visegrad Prize to SoundCzech for its tireless effort to promote the music of our region and its outstanding contribution to the development of cooperation within Visegrad countries,“ said Michal Šašek.

The export music organization SoundCzech (SC) has been part of the Arts Institute since 2017 and is funded by the Czech Ministry of Culture. Along with Slovak and Polish partners, it annually participates in the WOMEX world music fair, where, by putting together neighboring stands, it creates the V4 Island for international music professionals to meet. The music organization has repeatedly cooperated with events in various Visegrad cities, such as Bush in Budapest (Hungary), Sharpe in Bratislava (Slovakia), Enea Spring Break in Poznan (Poland), and others. SoundCzech is also a member of EMEE (European Music Exporters Exchange) and EMX (European Music Export Strategy) international program – www.europeanmusic.eu. Since 2020 it has been a partner of the HEMI Music Hub European project along with other V4 countries (Poland, Hungary) – https://hemimusichub.com.

The International Visegrad Prize has been awarded by the V4 Ministers of Culture since 2004. They acknowledge the work and effort of individuals and organizations, which contribute to the support and development of cultural cooperation among Visegrad countries. The past laureates include Art Museum Olomouc, Jan Ámos Komenský Museum in Uherský Brod, International Cultural Centre in Krakow, International Festival Theatre Pilsen, Hungarian National Philharmonic, Slovak composer Vladimír Godár, and Hungarian writer György Spiró.

Source: Ministry of Culture