The Vaclav Havel Library Foundation Celebrates 25th Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution with Two Commemorative Events in November; Launches Havel Award for Czech Theater Student
The Vaclav Havel Library Foundation Celebrates 25th Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution with Two Commemorative Events in November; Launches Havel Award for Czech Theater Student
The Vaclav Havel Library Foundation (VHLF) will introduce the biography Havel: A Life on November 11th, 2014 in New York City anddedicate a bust of Vaclav Havel in Washington, D.C.on November 19th, 2014. The VHLF will also launch the Havel Award for a Czech Theater Student on November 17th, 2014. Theeventshonor Havel’s role during the Velvet Revolution, Czechoslovakia’s peaceful transition from Soviet satellite state to an independent nation thatsubsequently became the Czech and Slovak Republics.
Vaclav Havel (October 5, 1936 – December 18, 2011), was a leader of the Velvet Revolution.Iconoclast and intellectual, playwright turned political dissident, president of a united and then divided nation, and dedicated human rights activist, his contributions enabled the development of freedom in the Czech and Slovak Republics.
Havel: A Life
Michael Zantovsky’s definitive biography, Havel: A Life will be presented at theBohemian National Hall (321 East 73rd Street, New York, NY 10021) on November 11th, 2014, at 7:00 p.m.Zantovsky, Havel’s former press secretary, advisor, and longtime friend, will be in conversation with David Remnick, Pulitzer Prize winning author, journalist, and editor of The New Yorker magazine.
Madeleine Albright onZantovsky’sHavel: A Life:
“Havel was one of the most important intellectual-troublemaking statesmen of his time – a nonconformist, determined to live in truth, who questioned the system, his countrymen and himself constantly. No one is better suited than Zantovsky to describe, interpret, and analyze this moral giant. Zantovsky’s biography of Havel is written with great understanding, candor, and love – and provides us with expert analysis of not only politics but also Havel’s plays to boot.”
Co-presented with Grove Atlantic and the Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association.
Michael Zantovsky on Vaclav Havel, in conversation with David Remnick
Bohemian National Hall
321 East 73rd Street
New York, NY 10021
November 11, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
Open to the public
More information on Havel: A Life: http://www.havelcenter.org/news/launch-of-the-definitive-biography-of-vaclav-havel-by-michael-zantovsky-26/
Havel’s Bust
As a result ofefforts made byVHLF board members Elliot Berke and Milton Cerny, on March 11th, 2014 the US House of Representatives unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution (H. Res. 506) paving the way for a bust of President Vaclav Havel in Washington, D.C. “On the 25th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, which liberated his people and led to his election as president, we will gather to honor Havel and all those whose sacrifices helped bring down the Iron Curtain,” said House Speaker John Boehner.
The bust, sculpted by LubomirJanecka,will be unveiled on November 19th, 2014 at the US Capitol, by Mrs. Dagmar Havlova, the wife of the late Vaclav Havel.Dignitaries in attendance include Jan Hamacek, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic;BohuslavSobotka, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic; John Boehner, Speaker of the House; and Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader of the House.
In partnership with the American Friends of the Czech Republic (http://www.afocr.org/).
Dedication of the Vaclav Havel bust
November 19, 2014
US Capitol
Washington, D.C.
By invitation only
More information on the Vaclav Havel bust: http://www.havelcenter.org/news/vaclav-havel-bust-will-be-dedicated-on-november-19-27/
Vaclav Havel Award for a Czech Theater Student
The VHLF, together with the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU), theTisch School of the Arts at NYU, and the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York announce the first year of theVaclav Havel Award for a Czech Theater Student.
The award will be based on a competition of the best mini-drama of the following assignment: Havel’s famous character Ferdinand Vanek today.The winner will have the opportunity to attend studios at the Tisch School in NYC for two weeks in April 2015, and attend numerous theater performances.
Further details to be revealed on November 17th on occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution.
About the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation
The Vaclav Havel Library Foundation (VHLF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation based at the Bohemian National Hall in New York City. The VHLF works in partnership with the Vaclav Havel Library in Prague to honor, preserve, and build upon the legacy of playwright, dissident, and President, Vaclav Havel.
Contact
The Vaclav Havel Library Foundation
321 East 73rd Street
New York, NY 10021
(888) 729 8453
info@havelcenter.org
