The Prague Post Online: Photo Galleries: Forum 2000

September 8th, 2008

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Havel has said that Joan Baez's music, which often centers on civil and human rights issues, influenced the 1989 revolution that toppled Czechoslovakia's communist government without bloodshed.

Vaira Vike-Freiberg, president of Latvia, listens to former Czech President V�clav Havel at the opening of Forum 2000.

The surprise guest, Joan Baez, performs a cover of John Lennon's <em>Imagine.</em>

Former President V�clav Havel, who turned 70 Oct. 5, greets visitors to the Forum 2000 global policy conference.

"When Havel was a dissident, he carried my guitar for me. And I was his bodyguard," Baez joked. Havel once again carries her guitar, as former Irish Prime Minister Mary Robinson looks on.

Joan Baez, left, provided Havel with a surprise performance for his birthday and afterwards the two were able to have a few minutes of privacy with a bottle of Becherovka.

Former President and Forum 2000 founder V�clav Havel greets former Irish Prime Minister Mary Robinson, left, and folk singer Joan Baez at Prague Crossroads in Old Town.

"You have been a light ... and a symbol of courage," Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel said at the opening ceremony of Forum 2000, addressing Havel. "You have brought great dignity and honor to your extraordinary little nation."

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Havel has said that Joan Baez's music, which often centers on civil and human rights issues, influenced the 1989 revolution that toppled Czechoslovakia's communist government without bloodshed.

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