I once traveled on a train with my little niece who grew up in Canada. We were reading a magazine. When we came across a picture of the Canadian flag, her eyes began to shine and she started jumping on her seat, screaming: "Canada, Canada." I was shocked by her spontaneity, writes Jeroným Klimeš in Mladá fronta Dnes Nov. 18. I grew up under communism. I felt no loyalty to the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, writes Klimeš. The idea that I would jump up and down with a Czech flag, shouting "Bohemia, Bohemia," seemed absurd to me. It brought to mind childhood memories when we had to exhibit our flag next to the red flag of the occupying power. However, when I was confronted with the natural national identity exhibited by my niece toward Canada, I realized that there was something wrong with my attitude to the Czech flag and nation. In fact, a cold attitude to their own nation and state is typical for the Czechs. We'd rather wear T-shirts with American flags than with Czech ones. Everybody seems to think that the U.S. flag is cooler than our own. Fortunately, the new generation has more national pride than those of us who are older. Was this caused by the Velvet Revolution? Or was it caused by our morally scrupulous politicians who do all they can for the good of the voters? Well, let's put jokes aside: It is clear that the growth of national pride has been caused by Czech sportsmen and their fans. Thanks to them, we have witnessed that our children walk around in hockey and football jerseys waving our flag and smiling girls paint the national colors on their cheeks. Even though we often associate football fans with vandalism, it is clear they also help us build our national identity, concludes Klimeš.

The above opinion pieces are two of many that were published in leading media to commemorate the 16-year anniversary of the Velvet Revolution.