Huisman attends state visit to Czech Republic and sponsors Bell of Freedom
On 4 and 5 June, Huisman took part in the Dutch delegation during the state visit to the Czech Republic, and served as the main sponsor of the Bell of Freedom project. The Dutch family-owned company has deep roots in Czech society since 1997, when Huisman opened a production location Sviadnov.
The two-day programme featured a CEO Roundtable attended by top executives from leading Dutch companies, along with a business forum and strategic sessions designed to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties between the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
Huisman played a role in a key moment of the visit on 5 June: the inauguration of the Bell of Freedom at the spire of St. Salvator church in Prague, in the presence of Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, and Czech President Petr Pavel. Karel Pavlíček, Managing Director of Huisman Czech Republic, officially donated the bell to the St. Salvator church.
The bell was made from weapons captured from Russian forces in Ukraine. It symbolises Dutch-Czech solidarity with Ukraine and a shared commitment to peace and freedom. Initiated by the Sanctus Castulus Association and the Dutch Embassy, this project seeks to return bells lost during WWII—when Nazi forces melted down church bells to produce arms, and to restore their voices as symbols of resilience and community.
David Roodenburg, CEO of Huisman: “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."
Karel Pavlíček, Managing Director of Huisman Czech Republic: “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.”
photo credits: Min BZ-Jan Malý
F.l.t.r.: Ukrainian Ambassador to the Czech Republic Vasyl Zvaryč, Monsignor prof. Tomáš Halík, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, First Lady Eva Pavlová, Czech President Petr Pavel, Vice-chairman of the Sanctus Castulus association Ondřej Boháč.