Články dle značky: Velvet Revolution

“God or fate or history willed that I become a doctor here without having studied properly here...,” are memorable words Václav Havel said in his thank-you speech after receiving an honorary doctorate in the Great Hall of Charles University in 1990. Havel was the first person to be awarded the doctorate after the fall of communism.

This Thursday Czechs are marking the 33^rd anniversary of the Velvet Revolution which paved the way for a return to freedom and democracy in Czechoslovakia. We speak to historian Jakub Rákosník. 

The legacy of two dates in Czechoslovak history, 17 November 1939 and 1989, was commemorated on Thursday by students and representatives of Charles University. “We are gathering together to honour the memory of the students and their brave fight for freedom,” CU Rector Milena Králíčková said.

November 17 is Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day, commemorating students in 1989 who were savagely beaten by communist riot police. The infamous event sparked the Velvet Revolution that would bring down communism in Czechoslovakia. 

International Students' Day was marked on Friday 17 November by citizens, students, and academics across the Czech Republic. Traditionally, ceremonies in Prague included representatives of Charles University.

"Excellence and success breeds more success. The key to success is to attract truly high quality students and staff. It's great to have great facilities, but in the end it's all about people," says Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University.

Eighty-five years have passed since 17 November 1939, a tragic day in Czech history. If this date is associated with darkness, the student protests that begaN on 17 November 1989 and were brutally repressed finally let hope into Czech society.

Representatives of Czech universities traditionally commemorated the memory of those who fought for freedom and democracy on 17 November, underscoring the importance of academia as a space for the free exchange of ideas and critical thinking.