A year-long project in 2026 will celebrate the 150th anniversary of entrepreneur Tomáš Baťa's birth through various events, including a musical, conferences, and exhibitions.
The project Baťa: 150 is set to commemorate 150 years since the birth of Tomáš Baťa, the founder of a renowned shoe manufacturing empire, with a series of events throughout 2026. The celebrations will officially commence in March 2026 in Zlín, with a performance of Marie Baťa's Cookbook, paving the way for various activities that honor Baťa's legacy. The main event will take place on April 16, 2026, with a conference at Prague's Žofín focusing on responsible leadership and Baťa's unique management system that emphasizes the holistic approach to individuals rather than mere workers.
Gabriela Končitíková, director of the Tomáš Baťa Foundation, explained that the initiative aims to present Tomáš Baťa as an innovative leader who developed a management philosophy based on educational and developmental activities that help individuals establish a relationship with themselves. This philosophy is deeply rooted in the Baťa service concept, which portrays a progressive and human-centric view of work and education.
In addition to the conference, there will also be an exhibition featuring the Philosophy of Tomáš Baťa's Thinking and Work, which will utilize illustrations by artist Jaromír 99 to showcase the timelessness of Baťa's approach to business and leadership. The series of events is expected to attract attention not just locally but also from those interested in management practices inspired by Baťa's legacy.
