31.03.2026
The 150th anniversary of Tomas Bata’s birth, which falls on 3 April 2026, has been included in UNESCO’s prestigious Calendar of Anniversaries. This list commemorates great personalities and events with global significance, and the Czech Republic may nominate only one or two anniversaries per two-year period. Tomas Bata’s inclusion thus represents extraordinary international recognition of his legacy and influence on modern business and society.
“It is absolutely remarkable how creative and original my grandfather was. Many of his personal and business philosophies are still relevant today. I wonder what innovative ideas he would introduce today—things we haven’t even thought of yet,” says one of Tomas Bata’s granddaughters, Rosemarie Blyth-Bata.
A native of Zlín, he managed to build an industry of global significance from the original shoemaking craft. The Bata brand became a symbol of quality and affordability, and in the 1930s it was even said that “Baťa” was a nationality. His business, however, went far beyond the mere production of shoes.
More Than Just a Shoe
Tomas Bata was also a prominent figure in social life and a strong advocate of responsible business. In the places where his company operated, he systematically developed public spaces and improved the quality of life -from housing through healthcare and education to social care, culture, and sports. His approach combined economic growth with care for employees and the broader community.
“Tomas Bata belongs to a generation of entrepreneurs who believed that the goal of business is to serve customers and, above all, the public. That is why his example and his well-thought-out, integrated system of company management are a true treasure he has left us,” says Ivan Baťka, owner of Fosfa a.s.
The foundations of this approach were laid as early as the company’s founding in 1894, when the business was established by siblings Anna, Antonin, and Tomas Bata. Over the course of several decades, the small family workshop grew into a global enterprise operating across continents. The company gradually expanded into dozens of industries, exported entire production systems, and founded its own industrial towns.
“Bata’s actions, perseverance, and way of thinking not only inspire me constantly but also recharge my energy,” admits entrepreneur Stanislav Martinec, owner of KOMA Modular.
Bata’s principles remain relevant today - self-development, sleep, rest
Today, people most often associate the name Tomas Bata with shoes, but his legacy is much broader. “We want to present Tomas Bata as a man who developed a unique management system that views the individual as a whole person, not merely as a worker. He encouraged employees to systematically work on themselves, pursue education, and at the same time create space for regeneration. According to him, the balance between performance and rest was the key to personal satisfaction and high-quality work,” explains writer and director of the Thomas Bata Foundation Gabriela Končitíková.
The inclusion of the anniversary in the UNESCO Calendar is the result of several years of effort by the Thomas Bata Foundation, the City of Zlín, and other partners. The nomination itself undergoes a rigorous approval process at both the national and international levels and requires the support of other UNESCO member states.
Celebration of Life at the Forest Cemetery
“Bata’s DNA is still alive in the Zlín Region - in the hard work, entrepreneurship, and sense of responsibility people have for the place where they live,” adds Regional Governor Radim Holiš, who, along with others, will attend a memorial service at Tomas Bata’s grave at the Forest Cemetery in Zlín.
“On Wednesday 1 April, we will gather with representatives of the City of Zlín and the Zlín Region, prominent figures from the business and social spheres, and the general public at Tomas Bata’s grave at the Forest Cemetery in Zlín. Although Tomas Bata’s life journey figuratively ended there, Bata considered the Forest Cemetery a unique place intended not only for burial but also for gathering. At the celebration of life - as we call the gathering - performers will include actors Petra and Radovan Král, as well as Rostislav Marek, who will read Bata’s moral testament,” explains Jakub Malovaný, project manager at the Thomas Bata Foundation.
The inclusion of Tomas Bata in the UNESCO Calendar of Anniversaries confirms that his approach to business, society, and human development has enduring value and continues to inspire the world today.
If you’d like to learn more, visit www.bata150.cz. The website will guide you through the year-round program of events commemorating the life and legacy of Tomas Bata.
