Václav Havel
Václav Havel
- Born: October 5, 1936, Prague, Czechoslovakia
- Died: December 18, 2011, Hrádeček, Czech Republic
- Occupation: Playwright, essayist, poet, dissident, and politician
- Known for: Leading the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which peacefully ended Communist rule in Czechoslovakia
- Awards: Nobel Peace Prize (1990), Presidential Medal of Freedom (1991), Order of Canada (1993)
Early Life and Career
Václav Havel was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, on October 5, 1936. His father was a wealthy businessman and his mother was a journalist. Havel studied drama at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, and after graduating in 1960, he worked as a stagehand and dramaturge at various theaters.
In 1963, Havel wrote his first play, "The Garden Party," which was banned by the Communist government. However, the play was eventually published in 1968, and it became a symbol of resistance to the regime.
Dissident Activities
In the late 1960s, Havel became involved in the dissident movement in Czechoslovakia. He co-founded the Committee for the Defense of the Unjustly Persecuted (VONS), and he wrote several essays and articles criticizing the government.
In 1977, Havel was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison for "subversive activities." He was released in 1983, but he continued to be harassed and persecuted by the government.
The Velvet Revolution
In 1989, Havel helped to organize a series of peaceful demonstrations against the Communist government. These demonstrations, which became known as the Velvet Revolution, eventually led to the overthrow of the regime.
On December 29, 1989, Havel was elected president of Czechoslovakia. He served as president until 1993, when Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Havel was then elected president of the Czech Republic, and he served until 2003.
Legacy
Václav Havel is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Eastern Europe. He was a courageous and eloquent dissident who played a key role in ending Communist rule in Czechoslovakia. He was also a wise and compassionate leader who helped to guide his country through a difficult transition to democracy.
Havel died on December 18, 2011, at the age of 75. He is survived by his wife, Dagmar Havlová, and his three children.
