Oral history focused on Vaclav’s Havel legacy in the United States and Canada before, during, and after his presidency aims to engage both public and scholarly interest in the dissident-to-president’s life and Havel’s unique leadership that interwove political and diplomatic life with music, arts, and dramatic and literary walks of life. Havel Conversations develop interviews that were prepared for Vaclav Havel Residency at Columbia University in 2006 by Columbia Center for New Media Teaching & Learning. Please see Havel Archives
Havel ConversationsU.S. Cultural Diplomacy & Czech Political Miracle December 18, 2020 American Embassy as a symbol of the free world in reflections of Vaclav Havel’s Czech friends and colleagues. In August 2020, the VHLF filmed several short interviews with Vaclav Havel’s colleagues, friends, and fellow dissidents. Michael Zantovsky describes the crucial role of the Vaclav Havel Library; Martin Palous talks about …
Havel ConversationsHavel Conversation with Jolyon Naegele December 18, 2020 Journalist, political analyst, Eastern and Southeastern European correspondent for the U.S. radio station Voice of America from 1980-2003, thinks back on his meetings with Vaclav Havel as well as other crucial moments of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Voice of America broadcasting received accreditation through the U.S. Embassy …
Havel ConversationsVHLF & BBLA Annual Gala Celebrating Cultural Diplomacy November 6, 2020 Thursday, September 24, 2020 Vaclav Havel Library Foundation & Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association Annual Gala Celebrating Cultural Diplomacy and Honoring Ambassador William Luers and Mrs. Wendy Luers and presenting the fifth annual Disturbing the Peace Award to a Courageous Writer at Risk took place online. Despite the fact that …
Havel Conversations, NewsTranslating Havel: The Tricky Parts May 31, 2020 Translating Havel: The Tricky Parts Moderated discussion, readings, Q&A Rehearsal for Truth, Theater Festival honoring Vaclav Havel 2020 Spring Weekend of Stage Readings Organized by Vaclav Havel Library Foundation and Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association Renowned English translators of Vaclav Havel’s works – Paul Wilson, Jan Novak and Stepan Simek …
Havel ConversationsEda Kriseová, Part 2: People hate Havel for his morality March 4, 2020 Source:Radio Prague International / www.radio.cz / By Ian Willoughby / Writer and former dissident Eda Kriseová worked closely with Václav Havel during his first few years as president. She headed Prague Castle’s Complaints and Pardons Department, then inundated with letters from Czechs who felt for the first time in decades …
Havel ConversationsHavel Conversations Live: Havel in America February 27, 2020 Moderated discussion by Pavla Niklova with William Luers, Wendy Luers, Lenka Kabrhelova and Rosamond Johnston in New York on October 7, 2019. Pavla Niklova, the Executive Director of the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation, discusses the oral history project with participants of the oral history collection Havel Conversations. Also discussed is …
Havel ConversationsHumility and “rock star” appeal – how Václav Havel won over the US November 2, 2019 Source: Radio Prague International / www.radio.cz / By Ian Willoughby / Václav Havel’s relationship to the United States is the focus of the recently issued book Havel v Americe (Havel in America) by historian Rosamund Johnston and journalist Lenka Kabrhelová. Mainly based on Q&A-style interviews, it contains insights and anecdotes …
Havel Conversations, NewsMadeleine Albright Remembers Vaclav Havel October 12, 2018 Source: Columbia / Shool of International and Public Affairs / The former U.S. secretary of state spoke at a ceremony honoring the late Czech president. Under the gaze of the statuary in the Low Library rotunda, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright stepped to the podium to honor Václav Havel, …
Havel Conversations, NewsThe Power of the Powerless in China, panel discussion October 4, 2018 The Power of the Powerless in China, panel discussion, Bohemian National Hall, New York, October 26, 2018 Panelists: Liao Yiwu, winner of 2018 Disturbing the Peace, Award for a Courageous Writer at Risk, writer, musician, poet; Liu Xia, Disturbing the Peace nominee, artist; Andrew Nathan, Professor of Political Science at …