Events: June 2023
May 2023
July 2023
Debate with Respekt
June 5, 2023, 19:00
How is the war in Ukraine changing Eastern Europe? What can we expect from further developments in the conflict? And how important is Europe to the US today? Debate with US historian Michael Kimmage, an expert on American-Russian relations and the history of the Cold War, hosted by Barbora Chaloupková. Discussion in English without interpretation into Czech.
Debate N: Are We Wasting Children’s Potential?
June 6, 2023, 19:00
This year the densest year in 30 years will finish ninth grade, meaning secondary schools are facing the most intense pressure. Even though the strain was expected, the capacity of schools remained the same as in previous years. In this Deník N debate we will explore how the system of individual entrance tests should be changed and how to ensure we have better educated pupils.
I Spotted My Own Face
June 7, 2023, 19:00
Traditional authors’ reading within the festival Stranou – European Poets Live More
Jiří Přibáň and Karel Hvížďala: The Quest for Meaning
June 8, 2023, 19:00
The discussion will introduce Hledání smyslu (The Quest for Meaning), the latest volume in a loose trilogy that follows on from The Quest for History and The Quest for Responsibility. In the new book the authors turn from history toward human culture and man as a being that seeks the meaning of everything, particular his own existence. The very combination of “quest” and “meaning” may, however, create a false impression that search is a matter of effort or movement, while meaning represents the permanence and certainty that such a quest is focused on. In reality it is the other way around. Hidden in the search itself is our essential living experience, while meaning often turns out to be a moving target. And today’s crisis of culture stems from the fact that man does not search for meaning, which leads him to want it all the more. In reality the quest for meaning is a continuous, ongoing and never-ending process. More
The Václav Havel Library at Knihex
June 10, 2023, 10:00 Participation on local events
Once again the Václav Havel Library will have a stand at Knihex, a traditional festival of small book publishers taking place for the 13th time. There you will find our newest publications alongside established titles, posters and other essentials.
Jan Steklík, Mixed Technique
June 12, 2023, 17:00
On the occasion of an exhibit of Jan Steklík’s drawings at Libri Prohibiti an intercity and international gathering is being held, exploring the life and oeuvre of the multifaceted artist. More
Tower of Babylon
June 15, 2023, 19:00
The Tower of Babylon was a year and a half long project under which the review Babylon mapped the literature and culture of ethnic minorities in the Czech Republic and Norway (the Norwegian Funds supported the project): Ukrainians, Ruthenians, Roma, Sami. It is also the name of an anthology that arose out of the project. Its editor, Babylon’s editor-in-chief Petr Placák, and other guests will discuss both its subject matter and authors. Jáchym Topol will chair the debate.
Conference: The Power of Parties, Money & Influence
June 19, 2023, 12:00
On Monday June 19th, 2023, between 13.00 and 18.00 am, at the Vaclav Havel Library the Democracy & Culture Foundation in collaboration with the Sekyra Foundation, and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung will conduct a twin event. During the first part a panel of two speakers will examine the issue of “Women in Politics and Public Space”. In the second part the Atlas organization will conduct and facilitate a four-hour citizens driven consultation on the issue of “Political parties, money and influence”. Local citizens will be asked to debate this specific issue and come up with policy recommendations that have a Czechia-oriented and universal application, which, when implemented, will contribute to strengthening the functioning of Liberal Democracy. More
An Evening of Remembrance for Josef Jařab
June 19, 2023, 19:00
Josef Jařab, a teacher, American Studies expert, translator and public figure (1937–2023), died recently after over half a century of striving for a free and democratic society. He was an important personage in intellectual life in Moravia, Silesia and Bohemia and helped shape the outlooks and cultural perspectives of generations of young people. After November 1989 he contributed as a politician and senator to the construction of democratic academic and social institutions in his own country and throughout Central Europe. Friends and relatives will remember Jožka Jařab in an evening that will also see readings from his translations, as well as musical accompaniment.
Echo from the Library
June 20, 2023, 19:00
Debate series with editors from the weekly Týdeník Echo and their guests, in cooperation with the Václav Havel Library. Jiří Peňás will chair the discussion. For the theme and names of guests visit www.vaclavhavel.cz prior to the event.
Open Apartments, Open Hearts – Defiant Women in the Normalisation Era
June 21, 2023, 19:00
Open apartments in a closed period. Islands of freedom despite the constant threat of losing just that. Female hostesses, wives, mothers, activists… What was life like in open apartments? What were the pleasures and pitfalls for inhabitants? What did it mean for the children who grew up in them? And did these defiant, unconventional women regard themselves as feminists? These questions will be discussed by Kamila Bendová, a mathematician, mother of six and key figure in the dissent; Pavla Paloušová, a Charter 77 signatory and daughter of the recently deceased Dana Němcová; and Mirek Vodrážka, a feminist, underground musician and journalist.
Aleš Lederer 70: Landmark Birthday for Legend of Czech Publishing
June 22, 2023, 19:00
A month after the brutal attack on Národní in 1989 one-time samizdat publisher Aleš Lederer set up the PROSTOR publishing house. In early 1990 its first title – Politickou emigraci v atomovém věku (Political Emigration in the Atomic Age) by journalist Pavel Tigrid – came out in a print run of 100,000. That was the start of over 30 years of life with the publishers, which has always striven to cultivate and maintain a space for freedom in this country. On Thursday June 22 Aleš Lederer celebrates his 70th birthday. A get-together involving Aleš Lederer and his guests is promised, while a toast, and birthday cake, can also be expected!
Announcement of the 2023 Tom Stoppard Prize
June 29, 2023, 18:00
Following an agreement with the British dramatist of Czech origin Sir Tom Stoppard, the Václav Havel Library took over the annual Tom Stoppard Prize. It is bestowed for an original, unpublished essay in the Czech language that contributes in an extraordinary way to the understanding of the state of contemporary society and social processes, civilization and civilization circles, the international environment, human rights, literary and artistic works and their creators, fresh scientific discoveries, modern history and processes taking place in the human soul. More