“Puls města”: Prague Metronome Lights Up for a Good Cause

One minute of coloured light for a good cause: The new “Puls města” initiative allows anyone to light up the Metronome on Prague’s Letná while supporting one of six charitable organisations.

The Prague Metronome on Letná is taking on a new role: Through the “Puls města” initiative – meaning “Pulse of the City” in English – anyone can illuminate the distinctive landmark in a chosen colour for one minute. The full amount paid goes to one of the six participating charitable organisations.

The Metronome has been part of Prague’s skyline for more than three decades. The site is a popular meeting place and offers sweeping views across the capital. The new initiative by PSN, the company that operates the Metronome, aims to combine a personal moment at this location with a charitable purpose.

The principle is simple: On the pulsmesta.cz website, participants select one of the participating organisations and its assigned colour. They then pay for a one-minute illumination. This can be used, for example, as a birthday surprise, to mark an anniversary or as a personal moment in Prague. Each booking supports the selected organisation.

Photo: Puls města

“We wanted to give the Metronome another dimension and offer people the opportunity to combine a personal experience with something that also benefits others. Puls města is based on a simple idea: A moment can bring you joy while helping someone else,” says Max Skala, CEO of PSN.

Six organisations, six ways to help

The participating organisations are Nadace Terezy Maxové dětem, Nadační fond Kapka naděje, Díky, že můžem, Pink Crocodile, Nadační fond AutTalk Kateřiny Sokolové and Fond ohrožených dětí. Their work ranges from supporting vulnerable and sick children to providing education and care for children with special needs and promoting civil society and democratic values.

Nadace Terezy Maxové dětem helps disadvantaged children and works to ensure they can grow up in a safe family environment. Kapka naděje supports sick children and medical facilities. Díky, že můžem highlights the importance of freedom and democracy and encourages civic engagement.

Photo: Puls města

Pink Crocodile enables children with special needs to access education, therapies and essential care. The AutTalk foundation fund supports families with children on the autism spectrum. Fond ohrožených dětí helps abused, neglected and otherwise vulnerable children, providing immediate help and a safe environment through its Klokánek facilities.

Each organisation is represented by its own colour in the project. By choosing a colour, participants also decide who benefits from their contribution.

The full amount goes to a good cause

The full amount paid for the illumination is passed on to the selected organisation. As the booking is legally considered payment for a service, the company adds the amount corresponding to VAT from its own funds. This is intended to ensure that the full sum paid by the customer goes to the charitable cause.

Photo: Puls města

PSN also says it covers all costs associated with operating the Metronome and implementing the initiative.

“It was important to us that support for the charitable organisations should be more than symbolic. Each illumination represents a tangible financial contribution, and the full amount paid reaches the organisation chosen by the participant,” Skala adds.

How it works

Bookings are made through the pulsmesta.cz website. After participants select an organisation and make their payment, the system informs them of the time of their illumination, taking existing reservations into account. At that time, the Metronome lights up for one minute in the colour of the selected organisation.

Photo: Puls města

“Puls města” is intended as a long-term charitable initiative by PSN. The company operates the Metronome and also looks after its technical condition.

Further information is available at www.pulsmesta.cz.