Václav Havel European Dialogues – The Other End of History
- Where: Václav Havel Library, Ostrovní 13, Prague 110 00
- When: May 28, 2026, 19:00 – 21:00
In his book The Other End of History: Essays on the Great Post-1989 Transformation, Philipp Ther, an acclaimed historian and professor of Central European history at the University of Vienna, explores the background to the changes that have led to Europe’s relative isolation, as well as developments in the United States in recent years and why Russia and Turkey have drifted so far from Europe. As Ther sees it, Russia’s attack on Ukraine marks the end of the period of European transformation as conceived since 1989.
Alongside historian and political scientist Jacques Rupnik, Philipp Ther will discuss how Europe has changed since Václav Havel’s presidency, how society is coming to terms with its totalitarian past and the fragile nature of democracy.
The discussion will be chaired by journalist Kateřina Šafaříková, a recent recipient of the Ferdinand Peroutka Award. The evening will begin with opening remarks from Monika Ladmanová, head of the Representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic.