Grayling Insights

Václav Havel – a tribute from Grayling Czech Republic

Přidal Na 23.12.2011 Od Aleš Pospíšil V Czech Republic, Central and Eastern Europe, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Grayling Insights, Grayling Blog

Václav Havel, the Czech Republic's first president after the Velvet Revolution against communist rule, died last Sunday.

Although aware of his serious illness, his death has come as a shock to us all nonetheless. We are all mourning for our president and want to pay our respects to the man who was a symbol of the Czech state. Who would believe that death of a politician can cause so much genuine sadness? But Václav Havel was more, much more than just a politician.

Václav Havel was a driving force in the overthrow of communist rule in Eastern Europe. As president, he presided over Czechoslovakia's transition to democracy and a free-market economy. He oversaw its peaceful 1993 split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

As a journalist and diplomat I had the privilege of meeting Václav Havel many times. Encounters with this unique personality, who was a true statesman, intellectual giant and a “regular guy”, were always something very special, something one will never forget. I liked Václav Havel, I liked him very much!