The third Gala Evening of the Pilsen Region was once more dedicated to honoring remarkable individuals. This year’s event featured the Life-Saving Award and the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Awards for contributions to the Pilsen Region. As in previous years, another distinguished figure was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. The festive ceremony took place at the Měšťanská Beseda in Pilsen.
“Those who received awards today are inspiring individuals whose work deserves genuine recognition. Through their actions—whether extraordinary deeds or the consistent efforts that shape everyday life—they help the Pilsen Region and the people who live here. Many of their stories could easily inspire filmmakers or writers. They show that even in today’s world, which—as Zygmunt Bauman wrote—is somewhat fluid, there are still people for whom values are more than marketing slogans. And I believe it was Jan Werich who spoke of ‘the pride of modesty.’ That is precisely the feeling their stories evoke: a natural pride that needs no grand gestures,” said Kamal Farhan, Governor of the Pilsen Region, who presented the awards.
Governor’s Life-Saving Awards
The Governor’s Life-Saving Award is presented annually by the Pilsen Region based on nominations from the public. It honors individuals who, through quick thinking and selfless action, saved a human life. In 2024, three citizens of the Pilsen Region received this award:
Karel Rohm
In November 2024 in Bezdružice, Karel Rohm noticed an elderly woman lying near a local shop. He stopped his car, checked her vital signs, and immediately began CPR. He continued until emergency medical services arrived. Firefighters secured a landing site for a helicopter, which transported the woman to Pilsen University Hospital. According to paramedics, without Rohm’s timely intervention, she would not have survived.
Vladimír Těšínský
In August last year, Vladimír Těšínský witnessed a traffic accident between the villages of Zemětice and Merklín. During a dangerous overtaking maneuver, a car collided with an oncoming motorcyclist. Těšínský quickly assessed the scene, found the motorcyclist pinned under the vehicle, and began freeing him. He provided first aid until paramedics arrived. The injured man, suffering severe head trauma, was airlifted to hospital. Thanks to Těšínský’s swift reaction and the work of medical professionals, his life was saved.
Hana Koreisová
In May last year, Hana Koreisová became a lifesaver three times. First, she helped her mother, who suffered an epileptic seizure and lost consciousness while Koreisová was driving her to hospital. She called for help, and her mother was airlifted to Pilsen.
Just two days later, an unknown man collapsed at a pedestrian crossing before her eyes. She immediately began first aid and alerted emergency services.
The story continued during a trip to Germany, where she assisted at the scene of an accident caused by an elderly driver who fell asleep and crashed into a tree. Once again, she did not hesitate to provide first aid.
“The most precious thing we have is life. Those who save lives and help others so selflessly deserve our deepest respect. I am glad that we can thank them in this way for their heroism and dedication,” added Governor Farhan.
Lifetime Achievement Awards for Contributions to the Pilsen Region
This is the third year the Pilsen Region has presented the Lifetime Achievement Awards, honoring individuals whose exceptional work has contributed to the development and reputation of the region. Awardees were chosen from public nominations.
Each recipient receives a silver plaque engraved with Albert Einstein’s motto: “Only a life lived for others is worth living.” The plaques were designed by Assoc. Prof. M.A. Petr Vogel.
Milan Bauer – Graphic Artist Who Finds Beauty in Detail
Pilsen artist Milan Bauer (*1960) discovered graphic art as a young boy. Inspired by his art school teachers and an exhibition of linocuts, he entered the world of intricate, precise motifs. Studies in Bechyně, encounters with distinguished Czech printmakers, and work in a lithography studio taught him that patience and craftsmanship are essential to true art.
Since 1992, he has worked as a freelance artist, creating works featured in galleries, books, ex libris, and even Czech postage stamps. A member of the prestigious HOLLAR Association of Czech Graphic Artists, he has earned international recognition, including an award in Madrid for one of the world’s most beautiful stamps. His work blends respect for craft, love of detail, and the belief that even a small print can convey a powerful idea.
Ing. arch. Miloslav Michalec – The Man Who Shaped the Region Through Maps
Miloslav Michalec (*1954) devoted his entire 43-year professional career to the regional authority. Working mostly quietly and behind the scenes, he influenced the development of the Pilsen Region in ways that will last for decades. He was instrumental in creating the first approved regional zoning plan in the Czech Republic, which helped attract investors and strengthen employment. He promoted the region abroad and shaped its image across Europe.
His contributions go beyond mapping: he co-created the Program for Rural Stabilization and Renewal, still supporting municipalities today. He organizes aid for Czech villages in Romania and personally oversees collections for compatriots in Banat. He is the author of four books on vanished schools—work that earned him the Patria Nostra Award—and he also paints, plays sports, and publishes wall calendars. For him, the region is not just a territory but a place full of people, stories, and memories.
Mgr. Alena Tichá – A Teacher Who Helps Music Flourish
Pilsen-born harpsichordist and educator Alena Tichá (*1964) is a name more often found in acknowledgments and concert programs than on posters, yet her artistic and pedagogical influence is international. She studied under world-renowned harpsichordist Zuzana Růžičková, released recordings of baroque and contemporary composers, founded the ensemble Musica ad Gaudium, and performed across Europe.
Teaching is her greatest calling. At the Pilsen Conservatory and local music schools, her students regularly win competitions and represent the region abroad. Recent successes in Germany and the USA confirm that strong technique, humility before music, and a natural teaching style create lasting results. For Tichá, music is a dialogue—between generations, instruments, and people—and she passes on not only musical skills but also a way of living with music.
Adolf Šádek – Manager of FC Viktoria Plzeň
Adolf Šádek (*1975) is one of the most successful football managers in the Czech Republic. After working at Baník Sokolov, he became sporting director of FC Viktoria Plzeň in 2008. Under his leadership, the club won multiple league titles, qualified for the Champions League, and played against top European teams.
He brought coach Pavel Vrba and key players to Pilsen, leading the club to its greatest achievements. During a challenging financial period, he became the club’s owner, guided it through crisis, and secured new investors. Today he serves as CEO of FC Viktoria Plzeň and works within the structures of the Czech Football Association—always guided by hard work, high standards, and ambition.
Karel Neuberger, MBA – The Man Who Revived Stříbro’s Mining Heritage
Karel Neuberger (*1961) helped shape the modern understanding of Stříbro’s mining past. Beginning as an apprentice and later working as a district miner, he gradually moved into construction and mining engineering. His true passion, however, lies in uncovering forgotten underground stories. Thanks to his efforts, the Prokop adit was restored and a large mining skanzen with an extensive trail was created—preserving history that might otherwise have disappeared.
He has written seventeen books on Stříbro’s mining, collaborates with radio, television, and technical journals, and organizes mining-themed trips abroad. Through his work, mining associations became partners of the Czech Parliament, and public interest in mining heritage was revived. Awards from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, and Poland confirm that honoring history can be as valuable as extracting resources.
Antonín Černý – The Teacher Who Transformed Guitar Education
When Antonín Černý (*1946) began teaching classical guitar, children’s guitars and suitable repertoire were not available in Czechoslovakia. He sourced sheet music from East Germany, acquired instruments however he could, and patiently opened the world of classical guitar to children who had previously known only popular music. His goal was not merely to train players but to cultivate musicians.
Since 1976, he taught at the Pilsen Conservatory, and many of his students continued their studies at the Academy of Performing Arts or abroad. He promoted classical guitar across the region and founded gatherings for regional music school teachers to share knowledge and grow professionally. He continues teaching at several music schools and serves on competition juries. His career demonstrates how one dedicated teacher can transform an entire field.
“We also honored individuals nominated by the public whose lifelong work has contributed significantly to the Pilsen Region. They deserve our attention and recognition for their dedication—often at the expense of their own comfort. I am grateful that the Pilsen Region has people it can truly be proud of,” added the Governor.
Hall of Fame Awards
The Hall of Fame tradition began in 2009 to recognize individuals whose lifelong work enriches science, culture, sport, medicine, or public life. The awards honor not only achievements but also the values embodied by those who inspire others.
This year, the 46th inductee into the Hall of Fame—presented with the award by the Governor of the Pilsen Region—is conductor Prof. Ivan Pařík, a figure closely connected with the region’s musical life.
Prof. Ivan Pařík (*1945) is an internationally respected Czech conductor and educator. He studied at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague and at the prestigious Academy of Music in Vienna under the renowned Hans Swarowsky. He worked as a conductor at major opera houses in the Czech Republic and abroad, including Ostrava, Vienna Volksoper, Klagenfurt, and the Prague State Opera. For twenty years, he served as chief conductor of the summer opera festival in Gars am Kamp, Austria.
His career is strongly tied to Pilsen. At the J. K. Tyl Theatre, he served as conductor, post-revolution opera director, and chief conductor. He collaborated extensively with the Pilsen Radio Orchestra (now the Plsen Philharmonic), both in concert and in radio recordings. He is also one of the founders of the Smetana Days Festival—held continuously since 1981 and still one of the city’s most important cultural events.
Pařík’s contributions to education are equally significant. He taught at music universities in Vienna, Salzburg, Cologne, and at Prague’s Academy of Performing Arts. He has always regarded the training of young conductors as an integral part of his professional mission, and many of his students now work in ensembles at home and abroad.
This year’s special Hall of Fame artistic award was designed and created by Zuzana Kocourková, a student at the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen.