Former Czech President Václav Havel died Dec. 18 after a period of illness at the age of 75.
Havel had been receiving treatment for a respiratory illness since March. In recent weeks he had been confined to his home.
The former Czech President first came to prominence in 1960s Czechoslovakia as a leading playwright and dissident, whose activities landed him in jail several times. He was voted President of Czechoslovakia Dec. 29 1989 by the Federal Assembly, after playing a key role in the downfall of communism in his home country. He retained his presidency in free elections in June 1990 and was reelected in 1993 and 1998. His final term as President ended in 2003.
Since the mid-’90s, Havel had worked actively as a humanitarian, founding Forum 2000 and holding the chair of the International Council of the Human Rights Foundation. In recent years he had returned to writing, publishing a new play, Odchazeni (Leaving), in 2007. The play was later turned into a feature film.
Havel’s international significance as a politician, dissident, humanitarian and playwright is undisputed. He was the recipient of numerous prizes, including the Gandhi Peace Prize, Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award, an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Society of Literature and many more. He was often named as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.
He is survived by his wife, Dagmar.
For full coverage, see the Dec. 21 issue of The Prague Post.
The loss of this public intellectual will be sorely missed around the world.
James Muraguri Gichohi I have learnt with distress and deep regret this afternoon of the death of the former president of the czech republic his execellency hon Vaclav Havel .By his untimely passing the world has lost one of its best leaders whohave fought for human freedoms,championed human rights and democracy in the world and specially to those oppressed .He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.My sympathy to wife Dagmer Havlova family and people of the Czech Republic.
Rest In Eternal Peace
Yours Sincerely,
James Muraguri Gichohi
REST IN PEACE CZECH LION OF LIBERTY!
Vaclav Havel was a Czech lion of liberty! His death leaves a void to all freedom loving
people all over the world.
Like Walesa, Sakharov, Solzhenitsyn, Havel fought in his own courageous manner against the tyranny of communism.
He led his people to democracy and freedom, like Moses delivered the Israelites from the Pharaoh’s whip!.
May our Czech lion of liberty rest in peace knowing that the land of Smetana, Libuce, and Dvorak is flourishing and enjoying the bounties of freedom!.
Hugo M. Villagra. Ju.Dr (USA)
In Memory of Václav Havel
October 5, 1936 – December 18, 2011
He was a close friend of Dr. Zimbardo and HIP Honorary Trustee
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150342952364229&set=a.10150186382369229.271706.322165964228&type=1&theater
“President Havel has made Czech people very proud and certainly made me very proud of having been born Czech and I think he will be very very missed on the international scene. There will be an adjustment in many ways because to a lot of people the word “Havel” and “Czech” are synonymous. Havel really put the Czech Republic and Prague on the map in the post-Cold War period.” I’ll never forget you, big man…Francesco Addesse From Italy
Vaclav Havel was a towering symbol of democracy, human rights, and the power of the powerless… He will be missed by the Czech American community for his significant contributions towards the creation of a free and democratic Czech Republic. I had the opportunity to meet him in 2006 in London at a Human Rights Watch event — a moment I will always remember.
Kent Jancarik
RIP Vaclav Havel. You were a great friend to Israel. We will miss you. Shalom Aleichem.
Vaclac Havel, thank you for all you did to bring freedom to the Cuban people. The day the bells of freedom ring again in the Cuban nation , the people of Cuba will render tribute to a man like you who has inspire so many to fight for freedom all over the world.
Rest in piece, fredom fighter !
Truly will be missed terrible throughout the world, such a tremendous loss. Thank you for the opportunity to represent you in United Nations class.
HE was good!
He was an international figure rest in peace