“This year we are commemorating Prague Zoo’s 90th anniversary. To be more precise, 90 years since its construction site opened - which does not change the fact that it was the date when the first visitors passed through its gates. After decades of debates, disputes and preparations, our capital finally got its zoo,” said Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo’s director. “Above all it is the name of the first director, Prof. Jiří Janda, that is most associated with this event. Rightly so. He devoted a significant part of his life and immeasurable efforts to setting up and building Prague Zoo”.

Prague Zoo will give its visitors an insight into how it has changed over the nine decades of its existence. Throughout the day-long celebrations, Prague Zoo will be decked in the style of the 1930s. There will be historic motorcycles with period advertisements, an organ grinder in period costume, swing dance workshops, a hairdressing salon, a themed photo corner and other accompanying programmes. Several distinguished guests such as actor Tomáš Töpfer, Veronika and Biser Arichtev, Prague City representatives, former employees and others will also come to congratulate Prague Zoo on its momentous anniversary.

“A zoo is an extremely complex organism and would not function without its keepers, curators or veterinarians, but nor should we forget the maintenance workers and cashiers, cooks and cleaners and other professions. And so now, to mark the 90th anniversary of Prague Zoo’s opening, I would like to express my thanks to all those who have worked for the zoo with dedication, sincerity and loyalty in the past - no matter in what capacity - as well as those who work for it today,” added Miroslav Bobek.

Programme for the 90th anniversary celebrations of Prague Zoo’s opening on 28 September:

• 10.00 - 10.45 Swing dance performance and workshop at the Education Centre
• 10.45 - 11.00 Pageant from the Education Centre to the Archa Theatre with members of the Chůdadlo association in period costumes
• 11.00 - 12.00 Live broadcast of Czech Radio Two’s programme Toboggan from the Archa Theatre
• 13.00 Celebration of Prague Zoo’s 90th anniversary and the launch of the book “A Zoo for the Capital” - guests arrive in period cars to the Education Centre, the book’s author, Hana Heráňová, will attend the launch
• 14.00 Launch of the board game “On the Trail of Prague Zoo” - the game will be “christened” by Meloun, a male Cape fur seal, and visitors can also enter a competition for several board games
• 15.00 Presentation of the Trojan Thaler issued by the State Printing Works in Elephant Valley –the presentation of all the different types of Trojan Thaler will also include a special enrichment for the elephant group
• 15.15 - 15.35 Swing dance workshop at the Education Centre