Culture
2020.07.02 01:32 GMT+8

Prague stages COVID-19 party 'to celebrate end of crisis'

Updated 2020.07.02 01:32 GMT+8
Alec Fenn

Prague celebrated the end of COVID-19 lockdown measures in Czechia with a party on a huge table that stretched along the city's 500-meter Charles Bridge.

The country has a population of 10.7 million people but has recorded fewer than 12,000 infections and 350 deaths after implementing lockdown measures early in the pandemic.

With the remaining restriction in the country now being lifted, thousands of people gathered on the 14th century bridge to eat and drink to mark what they hope is the end of a troubled time. 

 

Society mustn't be afraid. Otherwise, we'll have an economic crisis, a depression and that will hit society harder than COVID-19  -   Ondrej Kobza, event organizer

 

Prague cafe owner and event organiser Ondrej Kobza, said: "Everyone had to do something to be here, bring food or a flower. The idea was for everyone to get involved.

"We want to celebrate the end of the coronavirus crisis with people meeting up and showing they're no longer afraid to meet others. That they aren't afraid to accept a bite of a sandwich from someone.

"Society mustn't be afraid. Otherwise, we'll have an economic crisis, a depression and that will hit society harder than COVID-19."

Prague celebrated the easing of COVID-19 lockdown measures with a party along the city's Charles Bridge. /Reuters

 

Several improvised bands played and sang along the table, which was decorated with flowers.

"I found the event on Facebook and thought it was interesting," said Galina Khomchenko-Krejcikova, a Russian Prague resident who came with a friend.

"I just finished a night shift, so I didn't have time to prepare anything. But we brought some wine and snacks we found at home," she told AFP.

The celebrations went on long into the night and Prague will hope there will be many more to come after winning its fight with COVD-19.

Video editor: Pedro Duarte

Source(s): AFP
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