Music and Politics Collide at the 2025 Anděl Awards: Michal Prokop Takes Home Top Honors
The 35th annual Anděl Awards, celebrating the best of Czech music for 2025, unfolded on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Křižíkovy Pavilony of the Prague Exhibition Grounds. The evening was marked by a blend of veteran triumphs, new discoveries, and sharp political commentary from the stage.
The night’s biggest winner was 77-year-classic singer and former politician Michal Prokop. In a historic sweep, Prokop secured two major trophies: Best Solo Performer and the prestigious Album of the Year for Ostraka, a project he recorded and produced with his longtime band, Framus Five. Addressing the crowd in a tuxedo and bowtie, Prokop joked about his seniority, stating, “As the elder of the choir, I have no competition here in the hall today.” He expressed gratitude to the academy and “the one above” for allowing him to compete with younger artists at nearly 80 years old.
The awards were not without controversy, as several speakers used their platform to voice political grievances. Rapper and producer Idea, who won two awards alongside James Cole for their joint project Done (taking home the trophies for Rap and Joint Project), took a direct swipe at Minister of Culture and musician Oto Klempíř. “Our buddy Oto is in the office more than he should be. I hope he will be in the office less and less; he behaves like an idiot,” Idea declared.
The political tension continued with other winners. Folk artist Jan Běťák and other colleagues called for freedom, with Běťák remarking, “The direction in which the representation of Czech culture is heading is not correct, and I would be glad if the three years we have left with them is the maximum we have to endure.”
Other major winners of the night included:
- Group of the Year: Mňága a Žďorp, winning for their album Hoříš? Hořím!. Singer Petr Fiala thanked the fans who have supported the band for 39 years.
- Song of the Year: “Navždycky blázen” by Gufrau, Victor Kal., and Rohony.
- Slovak Album: Slovenská strela by Richard Müller and Banket. Müller praised his own publishing house, noting, “I am convincing those around me that it can be done this way.”
- Jazz Album: Holy Grail by Tomáš Liška & Invisible World.
- Discovery: The young singer with American roots, Marie April.
The ceremony also honored legendary artist Lenka Filipová, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame. In a video message, Filipová dedicated the honor to her collaborators, stating the award was for a long period of musical work rather than a single song or album.
The event, which aired during the first primetime slot on ČT1, was hosted by Libor Bouček and Martin „Mikýř“ Mikyska. In addition to the awards, the evening featured live performances from nominees, including Annet X, Lenny with the Unique Quartet, and The Prostitutes, highlighting the diverse sonic landscape of the current Czech music scene.
