In his new book Dějiny a doba postfaktická (History and the Post-Fact Era), Igor Lukeš, a history professor at Boston University, explores Czech 20th century history and its disasters and myths, as well as today’s political problems in the Czech Republic, the US and Russia. He advances Western liberal values and warns against those who lie and deny reality and in so doing have created a “post-fact era”.

Discussion with editors from the weekly Respekt and their guests on a topical issue, in cooperation with the Václav Havel Library. For more information and the names of guests visit www.vaclavhavel.cz prior to the event.

Now traditional readings as part of the15th edition of the festival Stranou – European Poets Live. Guests: Adam Borzič (CZ), Miroslav Černý (CZ), Alex Kama Devetak (SLO), Jan Faber (CZ), Klára Goldstein (CZ), Tim Postovit (UK-CZ), Krzysztof Siwczyk (PL) a Iryna Zahladko (UK-CZ). Music programme: Valentina and Blaž Prapótnik (SLO) and Alina Hirtl (SLO).

In a single “year of miracles”, communism fell throughout Central Europe. What caused the domino effect in Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Hungary? The fall of the communist system brought 30 years of new order to Europe that has now been rocked by the war in Ukraine. What is the connection between current events and then processes?

A Václav Havel Library stand selling many of our tried and tested titles will await you at this year’s edition of the Book World Prague trade fair and literary festival.

Let’s talk about the Czech EU presidency! Come to Vaclav Havel Library or join our stream to discuss the future of the Czech and European foreign policies with top Czech and European experts and politicians. The guest speakers are Mikuláš Dzurinda, president of Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, Ondřej Kolář, mayor of Prague 6, Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Beribes, policy advisor from Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, and Michael Žantovský, diplomat and director of Vaclav Havel Library. Hosted by Lucie Tungul.

“Audience was inspired by my time at a brewery and the character of the writer Vaněk appears in it for the first time. I wrote it fast, in a few days, and it was originally mainly intended to amuse friends, who I wanted to read it to at a summer get-together at Hrádeček. This play too – to my surprise – met with a great response and in time became genuinely popular…” says the author of his most famous play, in the book Disturbing the Peace.

In his talk Ladislav Heryán will build on VH’s famous words that “life is joyful co-participation in the miracle of being.” Where to find the will to joy at a time of military and environmental crises? Where do those who find themselves at the bottom of society find it? Ladislav Heryán, a Catholic priest, writer, theologian and long-time prison chaplain, will discuss maintaining a hopeful spirit, the non-given nature of life and the world as lived miracle as part of the lecture series Free Academy, which is intended for the general public.

The priestess Libuše “saw a large city” but it was only a century ago – in 1922 – that Greater Prague was born on the basis of three laws issued in 1920. Then Prague was joined to 37 suburbs, near and far, and became one territorial and administrative unit. Several generations of Prague politicians worked to create this agglomeration. Which names were associated with this change? What were the advantages of creating Greater Prague, and what problems did it bring? Guests will include Milan Hlavačka from the Institute of Czech History at Charles University’s Faculty of Arts and Hana Svatošová, one of the creators of an exhibition on Greater Prague.

Hana Malinová, a social worker, street worker, general director and founder of the organization Rozkoš bez rizika, author of theatre plays, lead actor of the Rozkoš theatre company and humanitarian worker, will be the guest in the latest edition of the From Time to Time series. Radio Wave presenter Adéla Paulík Lichková will host this talk with an inspirational woman who joins academic with cultural activity, healthcare and social work, and has shaped perceptions of the sex business in the Czech Republic.

Why is the equality of women and men important? How does it help societal development? The equality of women and men is one of the essential values of modern democratic states. Despite the progress the Czech Republic has made in recent years, many challenges lie ahead. In 2021 we came 22nd out of 27 countries in a gender equality index. Let’s use our presidency of the Council of the European Union to promote women’s status in society.

Debate about the state and future of public service media hosted by Deník N editor Renata Kalenská, whose guests in the first part of the evening will be Czech Television director general Petr Dvořák and Czech Radio director general René Zavoral. Selected journalists will build on that discussion in the second part.

The Arts and Theatre Institute is issuing the second collection in the complete Czech edition of Tom Stoppard’s writings for theatre. The book contains texts written and staged before 1989, reflecting the playwright’s interest in the existential dimension of the divided world of the Cold War: Jumpers, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, Night and Day and Hapgood. However, these works are not lacking in Stoppard’s sense of the absurd and wordplay, or the impressive levity with which he manages to introduce viewers to the most complex issues of the modern world; they also poke fun at 20th century art.

Debate series with editors from the weekly Echo and their guests in cooperation with the Václav Havel Library. Discussion chaired by Lenka Zlámalová. For the topic and names of guests visit www.vaclavhavel.cz prior to the event.

Czech literature and Czech Studies Beyond Europe and America

Come to say farewell to the French Presidency of the EU and celebrate with us the Czech Presidency!