Havel 90 USA

This October will mark the 90^th anniversary of the birth of Václav Havel, the first president of free Czechoslovakia. To celebrate this beloved political figure, the Václav Havel Center has developed Havel 90 USA, an online platform that connects and highlights Havel-related events and programs organized by U.S. institutions. Events will include lectures, exhibitions, screenings, educational initiatives and artistic performances that will honor Havel, his work and his legacy. 

Who was Václav Havel? 

Václav Havel started as a Czech playwright whose creative works subversively questioned the communist regime and Czechoslovakian society. He was soon banned from the theater and arrested several times, which only made him more involved in politics. He helped author Charter 77, a human rights document, and established the Civic Forum, a movement that united dissident groups across the country. After massive student demonstrations in 1989, the first free elections were called and Havel was elected president. As president, he ended the Soviet presence in Czechoslovakia, ensured the nation’s economic recovery and joined NATO and the EU. Additionally, Havel played a pivotal role in modern European politics and to this day serves as a role model of service and justice.

Celebrating Czechia at Ohio State

By honoring Havel, we are also celebrating Czechia’s rich history and culture. Here at Ohio State, there are many opportunities to learn more about this country. If you’re interested in the Czech language, the university offers Elementary and Intermediate Czech classes. If you prefer learning about history, courses like The Cinema of Real Existing Socialism: Czechoslovak and Polish Film or Eastern Europe in the 20th Century offer unique perspectives on Soviet communism. Of course, the best way to explore a country is to immerse yourself in it. Ohio State offers a number of study abroad and exchange programs to Czechia. Czech Theater and Culture takes students to Prague for nine days to learn about the nation’s continuing cultural significance in central Europe and visit Prague’s incredible theatres. Cultures of Manufacturing: Environments of Industrial Production in the Czech Lands is a semester-long class focused on different angles of industrial modernity with hands-on workshops, including a spring break trip to Prague to explore their history of manufacturing. Finally, Ohio State partners with AIFS Abroad to offer semester or year-long study and intern abroad programs at Charles University in Prague. 

For students excited by this topic, The Lawrence and Lee Theatre Research Institute has a collection from Robert Norman, a U.S. diplomat in Central and Eastern Europe, which contains fascinating material on Václav Havel. There is a copy of Ten Years of Charter 77 with a chapter written by Havel about “The Meaning of Charter 77.” The book is signed by many original signators of the charter, including Havel himself. There is also a poster commemorating Havel’s Erasmus prize, signed and gifted to the Normans by Havel. If interested in seeing these and more first-hand, make an appointment at The Ohio State University Libraries.

Get Involved

Havel 90 USA gives us a meaningful chance to reflect on a leader who reshaped a nation. Whether through attending an event honoring his legacy or diving into Czechia's language, history, and culture at Ohio State, there are countless ways to engage with this milestone anniversary. As October comes to a close, take the opportunity to discover what makes Václav Havel and Czechia so worth celebrating.