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Order of the Rising Sun

Order of the Rising Sun

In July, 2019, board member of the Vera Caslavska Foundation, Mrs. Kristina Kopáčková received the Order of the Rising Sun, the highest order awarded by the Japanese government. She received the award from Japanese Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Mr. Kaoru Shimazaki. In her thank you speech, Kristina mentioned that she had been a long-time member of the Board of the Czech-Japanese Society and that she now volunteers for the Vera Caslavska Foundation, which supports physical exercise for pre-school children STAND-UP STRAIGHT project,  among its various activities.

The Japanese Ambassador called attention to the fact that Kristina received the significant award for actively promoting bilateral cooperation and friendship between the two countries that began during the communist period in Czechoslovakia. For example, as interpreter and guide she accompanied current Japanese Emperor Naruhita during his visit to Czechoslovakia in 1985.  Also meaningful was her collaboration with Věra Čáslavská, with whom she shared a bond of friendship, and whom she accompanied during the festivities of the 50th Olympic Tokyo in 1964, at which the “Queen of Gymnastics” won 3 gold medals.

Věra Čáslavská received the Order of the Rising Sun in 2010. The Vera Caslavska Foundation congratulates Kristina for this significant award.

Věra Čáslavská

For the individual who is willing to take the risk and confront the world with courage, a huge reward awaits.

The reward is SELF-ESTEEM.

Věra Čáslavská, Život na Olympu