Vaclav Havel Bust Unveiled in Mexico City

The Vaclav Havel Library Foundation partnered with Art for Amnesty, Amnesty International’s global artist engagement program, on the week of events celebrating freedom and human rights in Mexico City.

Sergio Ortiz
Salil Shetty, Gabriela Montero, Peter Sis, Pavla Niklova, and Bill Shipsey, Havel bust dedication, Mexico City, May 2015

Vaclav Havel bust by Marie Seborova, Mexico City

The bust of Vaclav Havel by Czech sculptor Marie Seborova was dedicated at the Centrum Cultural Tlatelolco in Mexico City on May 9, 2015. The dedication ceremony was performed by Salil Shetty, Secretary General of the Amnesty International, Jorge Jiminez, Director of the Centro Cultural Tlatelolco, and Pavla Niklova, Executive Director of the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation. This is the first bust of Havel anywhere in Latin America.

Speaking of the project Art for Amnesty Founder Bill Shipsey, who travelled from Ireland for the Award Ceremony, said “Vaclav Havel was arguably the greatest moral leader in Europe over the past 50 years. His writings more than any others brought about the movement for change that lead to the Velvet Revolution started by Czech students in 1989. Having the bust placed in Tlatelolco could not be more appropriate.

Centro Cultural Tlatelolco, Mexico City
Centro Cultural Tlatelolco, Mexico City

The Tlatelolco University Cultural Center promotes multidisciplinary research, analysis, and dissemination of knowledge of art, history, and civil resistance. Its activities create a link between the National Autonomous University of Mexico and general public. The Center has a significant impact on the daily lives of its immediate community.

“I’m very happy that there will be a place in Mexico City where Vaclav Havel will be remembered and where people will be able to learn about his life and ideas,” said Pavla Niklova in her remarks.

More info in Spanish:

http://amnistia.org.mx/nuevo/2015/05/08/la-figura-de-vaclav-havel-llega-a-tlatelolco/?o=n