Dear Friends of AutoMat, 

we hope you had a fantastic summer and are starting the new school year feeling rested and in good spirits. But the outdoor season is far from over! As you may know, the third Saturday of September traditionally belongs to the Zažít město jinak neighborhood festival. As part of European Mobility Week, the event is organized by the AutoMat association in cooperation with hundreds of volunteer organizers. It brings neighborhood buzz, programs for all ages, local treats, and mutual understanding into public spaces. These community celebrations will transform streets, courtyards, parks, and squares in 160 locations across the country – this year under the motto "The Power of Communities."

Streets for Everyone

For the twentieth time, visitors will once again get to experience what it's like when public space is no longer reserved just for cars and moving from point A to point B. Instead, it becomes a place that offers enjoyment and activities for people of all ages. For one day, streets, squares, and courtyards will fill with theatre, music, community food, workshops, swaps, lectures, happenings, bike rides, local business showcases, sports, and fun for kids. And often, it’s just the beginning of more lasting change. The main event this year takes place on September 20, but in some locations the celebrations will happen on other dates — for example, on September 13 during the largest Prague edition on Americká Street.

Anyone Can Support the Festival

As part of Zažít město jinak, many places that are usually difficult to access open up to the public, offering truly unique experiences.
You can already start planning where you want to explore the city differently this year — and at the same time, you can help create more beautiful and welcoming places to live by purchasing a virtual Neigbourhoodie.

By doing so, you’ll be supporting and strengthening communities all across the Czech Republic and helping to transform public spaces in our cities to the level they deserve in the 21st century.

People as the Driving Force of Change

This year’s motto, "The Power of Communities," highlights the importance of active citizens — because they are often the true engine of positive change in their neighborhoods. Thanks to Zažít město jinak, public space is being transformed for the better — in ways that reflect the needs of the people who actually live there. Residents draw attention to the issues that affect them, helping to improve not only urban environments but also relationships between people. With their involvement, the street becomes a modern-day agora — a place that responds to real needs and challenges. And this doesn’t happen just on the third Saturday in September, but throughout the whole year.

By the People, for the City — AutoMat’s Role

For the past twenty years, we at AutoMat have been providing people who care about community life with know-how, as well as administrative and marketing support. We coordinate and oversee Zažít město jinak festivals, which in many places have sparked ongoing neighborhood engagement far beyond just one day a year. But it’s thanks to the dedication of hundreds of volunteers that transformed streets and blooming communities become a reality. Want to see what it looks like in practice? Come and experience it for yourself. We’re already looking forward to meeting you — not just on September 20, but anytime we cross paths in the revived streets of our cities.

Dear friends of better cities,

We wish you a beautiful Indian summer and thank you for your support and goodwill — without which the neighborhood celebrations would not be possible.
We’re truly glad to have you with us.

Natálie Veselá