Václav Havel (October 5, 1936 – December 18, 2011) Friend of Museum & Library

   Czech President Václav Havel died at the age of 75 on Sunday. Havel visited the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) in Cedar Rapids for the dedication in 1995. During his visit to the NCSML he was accompanied by U.S. President Bill Clinton and the Slovakian President Michal Kováč.
   A believer in global human rights, Havel was the first post-Communist president of both Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. He led the country’s Velvet Revolution against communism before becoming president.
   Among his many accolades, Havel was recognized with the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, the International Gandhi Peace Prize and Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award. He was also nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize numerous times. 
   NCSML's relationship with President Havel has continued through the years. He recently presented a program at a Prague symposium chaired by President/CEO Gail Naughton of NCSML. On Oct. 4, Havel spoke on The Legacy of Wilson and Masaryk Today. The following day, both attended the historic dedication of the Wilson monument in Prague, Czech Republic.