Numerous events mark upcoming Havel birth anniversary

Events commemorating the 90th anniversary of Václav Havel’s birth, which falls on October 5, are taking place across the Czech Republic .

Prague Castle is marking the anniversary with the multidisciplinary Havel ALIVE! festival. It presents Havel’s legacy as a source of inspiration for the present and highlights the continuing relevance of his ideas about freedom, democracy and the power of culture. From October to January, the festival will offer discussions, film screenings, concerts, educational programs for schools and teachers, and the Design for Václav Havel exhibition, prepared in cooperation with Designblok.

Czech Television organized a commemorative event at Havel’s former apartment on Prague’s Rašín Embankment. The program featured recollections of Havel by former friends and associates, among them scientist, Charter 77 signatory and wife of Ivan Havel, Dagmar Havlová; mathematician and activist Kamila Bendová; political scientist and Charter 77 signatory Daniel Kroupa; retired auxiliary Bishop of Prague and Charter 77 signatory Václav Malý; and photographer and Charter 77 signatory Ondřej Němec.

Havel’s literary work is also being heard on trams in Ostrava where students are reading excerpts from his writing as part of the Havel Literary Tram project.

Czech Radio is marking the anniversary with a series called Hearing Havel, which has been running since September 7 and will conclude on October 5, his birthday.

The Czech Centres network is also commemorating the anniversary abroad with numerous cultural events such as multi-day festivals featuring film marathons, theater, discussions, and children's creative workshops.