Yesterday evening, scouts brought the symbolic Peace Light of Bethlehem (Betlémské světlo) to the Czech Republic. The journey took them by train from Vienna via Břeclav to Brno. Next Saturday, the Peace Light will be distributed throughout the country.
This year, the Peace Light was brought from Vienna to the Czech Republic after Austrian scouts had handed it over to delegations from all over Europe. The Czech scouts transported the Peace Light yesterday by train from Vienna via Břeclav to Brno, where it arrived in the evening. Today, on Sunday, the light will be brought to the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Brno (Katedrála sv. Petra a Pavla) at 16:00.
On Saturday, 21 December, scouts will distribute the light by train throughout the Czech Republic. They will be travelling in all directions of the country on express trains such as the Vysočina, Labe, Krušnohor or Bouzov. The distribution then continues on regional trains from the interchanges on the long-distance routes.
The idea for the Peace Light was born in 1986 in the Upper Austrian regional studio of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF). This initiative has since travelled the length and breadth of Europe: a light from Bethlehem is to cross the countries as a messenger of peace and proclaim the birth of Jesus. After the fall of communism, the Light of Peace also reached the Czech Republic. In December 1989, Scouts in exile brought it to the statue of St Wenceslas in Prague. Since 1990, Brno scouts have been bringing the Peace Light to the Czech Republic.
The event is supported by hundreds of volunteers and symbolises selflessness and human solidarity. Up-to-date information, including a list of places where the flame can be picked up, is available on the BETLÉMSKÉ SVĚTLO website.
