The Bell of Freedom “Rang Out” Over Prague – Handed Over by Huisman Czech Republic Managing Director in the Presence of Dutch Queen and Czech President
Huisman has played a key role in an extraordinary project. In the presence of Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and Czech President Petr Pavel, the Bell of Freedom – a symbol of peace, freedom, and international solidarity – was ceremonially unveiled. Huisman served as the main sponsor of the Bell of Freedom. The ceremonial event took place at the Church of the Most Holy Savior in Prague on 5 June, where the bell was consecrated and officially handed over to the academic parish.
The unveiling ceremony of the Bell of Freedom was participated by Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Czech President Petr Pavel, and First Lady Eva Pavlová. The bell was consecrated by Monsignor Tomáš Halík before being installed in the church. It was officially handed over by Karel Pavlíček, Managing Director of Huisman Czech Republic, who said:
“Only in an environment of freedom and independence can we push the boundaries of technical possibilities. This spirit of independence is what makes us one of the global leaders in engineering and allows us to turn even the boldest ideas into reality. We firmly believe that having courage, standing together, and cooperating under all circumstances are not only the values that guide us in our daily work on technically demanding projects around the world, but also the attitude through which we express our responsibility to society as a whole. The Bell of Freedom carries a powerful and clear message of peace, human dignity, and solidarity—one that transcends national borders. We are proud to contribute to the creation of a symbol that unites rather than destroys and that reminds us of the principles upon which a free society is built.”
The Bell of Freedom was cast from the metal of captured Russian weapons in Ukraine. It symbolises Dutch-Czech solidarity with Ukraine, and its sound reminds us of the values of peace, freedom, and human dignity. The bell features a biblical quote in three languages – Czech, Dutch, and Ukrainian – and its body also states that it was cast from the remnants of weapons. The bell weighs over 220 kilograms and measures 69 centimeters in diameter.
“The Bell of Freedom will not only restore a lost voice to Prague but also stand as a lasting symbol of unity, resilience, and European solidarity. As a father of two young children, and as the grandson of both Jewish and German ancestors, I have grown up with the understanding that it takes decades to build a safe and secure society—but far less time to see it unravel into conflict. This project is not only a commemoration of the past but a call to responsibility in the present—to safeguard the values that make peace possible for future generations,” said David Roodenburg, CEO of Huisman.
On June 4–5, Huisman joined the Dutch delegation during the state visit to the Czech Republic. The two-day programme included a roundtable of CEOs with top executives from leading Dutch companies, a business forum, and strategic talks focused on strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
The Bell of Freedom project was initiated by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Czech Republic and the Sanctus Castulus association, which aims to restore the missing bells and their voices as symbols of resilience and cohesion. Huisman was the main sponsor, with financial support also from NN Life Insurance. The Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic was a project partner. The bell was cast at the Royal Eijsbouts foundry in the Netherlands, and transportation from the Netherlands to the Czech Republic was provided by Voerman.
Photo source: Min BZ- Jan Malý
