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![The Debate That Won’t Die: Havel And Kundera On Whether Protest Is Worthwhile
Until his death on December 18, Vaclav Havel was one of the two most famous living Czech writers in the world. The other is Milan Kundera, now 82 and living in France.
They made for a fascinating duo: Kundera was born into a middle-class family in Moravia, Havel was born into a wealthy family in Bohemia; Kundera was a loyal Communist in his youth, Havel never joined the party; Kundera’s fiction tends to be pessimistic about human nature, whereas Havel’s essays inspired people with their optimism; and while Kundera left Czechoslovakia in 1975 and achieved fame and fortune as a novelist based in Paris, Havel stayed in his native land to live the arduous life of a dissident, either in prison or under constant surveillance by the secret police…[READ MORE]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxqi6uZ5D31qkgi6go1_500.jpg)
The Debate That Won’t Die: Havel And Kundera On Whether Protest Is Worthwhile
Until his death on December 18, Vaclav Havel was one of the two most famous living Czech writers in the world. The other is Milan Kundera, now 82 and living in France.
They made for a fascinating duo: Kundera was born into a middle-class family in Moravia, Havel was born into a wealthy family in Bohemia; Kundera was a loyal Communist in his youth, Havel never joined the party; Kundera’s fiction tends to be pessimistic about human nature, whereas Havel’s essays inspired people with their optimism; and while Kundera left Czechoslovakia in 1975 and achieved fame and fortune as a novelist based in Paris, Havel stayed in his native land to live the arduous life of a dissident, either in prison or under constant surveillance by the secret police…[READ MORE] -
A detained protester shows a victory sign from a police van as authorities cracked down on an anti-government demonstration called “Revolution Via Social Network” in Minsk on June 29.
2011: The Year in Photos: RFE/RL looks back at the year 2011, from the Arab Spring to memorial services for Kim Jong II and Vaclav Havel.
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Mourners light candles and lay flowers at Prague’s Wenceslas Square on December 22 to pay their respects to former Czech President Vaclav Havel.
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![Czech Republic Bids Farewell To Vaclav Havel
A serious mind, he was also known for his whimsical sense of humor — he placed a large red heart atop the castle and, early on, liked to ride around its corridors on a scooter — and love of rock music and avant-garde theater…[READ MORE]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwnh2ij7xb1qkgi6go1_500.jpg)
Czech Republic Bids Farewell To Vaclav Havel
A serious mind, he was also known for his whimsical sense of humor — he placed a large red heart atop the castle and, early on, liked to ride around its corridors on a scooter — and love of rock music and avant-garde theater…[READ MORE]
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![RFE/RL Remembers Vaclav Havel
In honor of former Czech and Czechoslovak President Vaclav Havel, who died on December 18, RFE/RL has projected an image of his face on the front of its headquarters in Prague. [READ MORE]
Havel’s image will be visible for the entire three-day mourning period declared in the Czech Republic.A longtime listener of its Czechoslovak broadcasts, Havel invited RFE/RL to move to Prague from Munich in the early 1990s, which it did in 1995. [See the image on our FB page as well]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwlmh5684s1qkgi6go1_500.jpg)
RFE/RL Remembers Vaclav Havel
In honor of former Czech and Czechoslovak President Vaclav Havel, who died on December 18, RFE/RL has projected an image of his face on the front of its headquarters in Prague. [READ MORE]
Havel’s image will be visible for the entire three-day mourning period declared in the Czech Republic.
A longtime listener of its Czechoslovak broadcasts, Havel invited RFE/RL to move to Prague from Munich in the early 1990s, which it did in 1995. [See the image on our FB page as well] -
Havel Mourned As Czechs Escort Remains To Prague Castle
PRAGUE — The Czech Republic has begun three-days of official mourning for former dissident and president Vaclav Havel.Havel will be buried in a state funeral in Prague on December 23 with many world leaders expected to attend, including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
People around the world have paid tribute to Havel, with many calling him a key historical figure of the 20th century. He shaped the Charter 77 movement that challenged communist abuses head-on, wrote influential works like his “The Power of the Powerless” essay, and remained committed to human rights and dignity in the face of repression throughout his life.
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Czechs Pay Respects To Vaclav Havel
As news spread of the death of former President Vaclav Havel, Czech citizens lit candles and placed flowers on Prague’s Wenceslas Square and at the memorial on Narodni Street for the student demonstrations that ushered in the Velvet Revolution. Czech flutist Jiří Stivín made an impromptu appearance in Havel’s honor.
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The Arab Spring is related to the Prague Spring through the attitude on freedom, because the essential claim is to achieve democracy and freedom. The popular demand in the Arab countries these days is the same that which has arisen with the movement of Havel and his group at the time.Iraqi writer and journalist Mehdi al-Saeed speaking Monday (December 19) to RFE/RL’s Radio Free Iraq.
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![Havel’s Last Letter To Belarusian Jailed Activists
Three days before Vaclav Havel passed away, he penned a letter of encouragement to eight Belarusian political prisoners.
A gift to RFE/RL’s Belarusian Service, Radio Svaboda, the letter is a testament to the cease-less support and advocacy for human rights — especially in Belarus — for which Havel was known…[Read the full letter here]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwgcw9Zxld1qkgi6go1_500.jpg)
Havel’s Last Letter To Belarusian Jailed Activists
Three days before Vaclav Havel passed away, he penned a letter of encouragement to eight Belarusian political prisoners.
A gift to RFE/RL’s Belarusian Service, Radio Svaboda, the letter is a testament to the cease-less support and advocacy for human rights — especially in Belarus — for which Havel was known…[Read the full letter here]
