At a ceremony at Prague Castle on Thursday evening, President Vaclav
Klaus awarded state medals to twenty-one individuals. The Order of the
White Lion, the highest state distinction, was awarded to WWII veterans
Frantisek Fajtl, and Rudolf Severin Krzak, the latter honoured in
memoriam. Mr Klaus praised those who openly opposed the Communist
system and awarded the Order of T.G. Masaryk to men who were persecuted
by the regime. Among those who received orders of merit were Olympic
medallist Roman Sebrle, legendary film director Otakar Vavra, and
famous Czech actress Jana Brejchova.