Source: Václav Havel Library by Oldřich Škácha
Our Mission
Promotes democratic freedoms,universal human rights,and the power of the artsto uplift and transform our livesin the spirit of Vaclav Havel.
Promotes democraticfreedoms, universalhuman rights, andthe power of the artsto uplift andtransform our livesin the spirit ofVaclav Havel.
Source: Václav Havel Library by Oldřich Škácha
What we do
How we help
Providing access to unique materials
The Vaclav Havel Centre is gradually gathering, digitizing, and making accessible written materials, photographs, sound recordings and other materials linked to the person of Václav Havel.
Bridging Havel's Global Impact from 20th to 21st Century
We create an effective, cutting-edge interactive platform and bridge to promote worldwide awareness of Havel’s crucial contributions not only to the democratic transition in Central Europe, but to ongoing debates about a much larger transition of the global community from the 20th to 21st century.
Honors Writers for Courageous Advocacy of Human Rights
The Vaclav Havel Center’s annual Disturbing the Peace Award recognizes writers who share President Vaclav Havel’s passionate commitment to human rights and have suffered unjust persecution for their beliefs. The award is given each year to a writer of a distinguished work of fiction, literary nonfiction, biography, memoire, drama, or poetry, who is courageous in dissent and has been punished for challenging an oppressive regime. The award, which includes a $5,000 cash prize, supports talented individuals who embody Havel’s legacy while drawing attention to the many writers worldwide who bravely fight human rights violations.
We create a bridgeto promote worldwideawareness of Havel’s contributions
We create a bridgeto promoteworldwideawareness ofHavel’scontributions
The Vaclav Havel Center is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization established in the United States to honor, preserve, and build upon the legacy of playwright, dissident, and former President of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel.
Honoring Vaclav Havel's Legacy
Our Programs
Disturbing the Peace
VHC’s Disturbing the Peace Award honors writers who echo Vaclav Havel’s dedication to human rights, despite facing persecution. Given annually to a courageous dissenter, the $5,000 prize supports those upholding Havel’s legacy and spotlighting global writers fighting for human rights.
Theater
To honor Vaclav Havel’s theatrical legacy, VHC collects information about productions of his plays in America, awards scholarships to Czech and U.S. students of drama and performance studies, and presents an annual festival of contemporary European theater, Rehearsal for Truth.
Havel's Conversations and Memorials
An oral history project explores Vaclav Havel’s legacy in the US and Canada, showcasing his unique leadership style blending politics and arts. These conversations originated from interviews for Havel’s residency at Columbia University in 2006.
Collecting memorial places among the world cities a dedicated to Vaclav Havel.
Martin Palous
- President
Martin Palous was one of the first signatories of Charter 77, a document criticizing the Communist government of Czechoslovakia for not respecting human rights and later served as the group’s spokesman.
Andy Schapiro
- Chair
Legal 500 United Stateshas ranked Mr. Schapiro as one of the country’s leading appellate lawyers and labeled him a “superstar.” He is listed in the Best Lawyers in America and has been described in the press as “one of the brightest legal minds of his generation.”
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Velvet Bridge
You can support VHC by buying artist tiles painted by Czech artist Petr Sis featuring Vaclav Havel. These tiles will be installed on a bridge in Prague.
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