"CLADDAGH" RING AUCTIONED AT THE BE CHARITY GALA DINNER

It was an honor to attend the traditional Be Charity Gala Dinner on June 16, which included an auction of artworks, designer pieces, and unique experiences.

The event took place in the stunning halls of the National Museum in Prague, which is also a partner of the Be Charity Foundation. The evening was hosted by Marek Vašut, who entertained us with his charm and humor, especially during the auction that followed dinner. Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed a multi-course menu by Zátiší Catering, accompanied by outstanding performances from pianist Ivo Kahánek, soprano Olga Jelínková, and bass-baritone Adam Plachetka—whose voice and stage presence transported me straight into the era of Oldřich Nový.

The auction featured a wide range of extraordinary items, including a painting by the renowned Pasta Oner, a series of photographs by Jan Saudek, and a vase by Bořek Šípek. Among these remarkable pieces, my latest creation—the “Claddagh” ring—was also auctioned. This ring is crafted based on the famous historical design, and I will soon share more about its fascinating history in a separate article. The ring was auctioned for 50,000 CZK, and I hope it’s not too much of a secret to reveal that the winning bidders were the wonderful Komár couple, the faces behind the Czech brand Dermacol.

The Be Charity Gala Dinner and Auction raised a remarkable 4,744,000 CZK. Every single crown from the auction proceeds will be used to support three specialized hospital departments:

• The Department of Acute Pediatric Rehabilitation at Motol University Hospital, led by Prof. PaedDr. Pavel Kolář, Ph.D.

• The Center for Pediatric Plastic Surgery at the Clinic of Plastic Surgery, Královské Vinohrady University Hospital, led by Prof. MUDr. Andrej Sukop, Ph.D.

• The Perinatology Center at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic, U Apolináře, led by Prof. MUDr. Antonín Pařízek, CSc.

A heartfelt thank you to Barbara Nesvadbová, founder of Be Charity, and Pavlína Saudková, director of the foundation, for an unforgettable experience and the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful project.