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It is with great regret and sorrow that the OISTAT community heard of the passing away of Vaclav Havel. OISTAT would like to express our condolences to the Czech people and to the Czech theatre community in particular.
On December 18th, the Czech Republic has lost the greatest spiritual authority of its young democracy, an extraordinary human, a splendid playwright. His plays were the courageous voice during the political ice ages after the Czech spring.
“I am convinced that we will never build a democratic state based on law if we do not at the same time build a state that is, humane, moral, intellectual and spiritual, and cultural.”(Vaclav Havel, 1992) Mr. Havel put into practice the ideals which he adhered all his life. As an art activist, He stood against the political repression of the communist regime. He articulated the power of the powerless and showed the world how art can shape a society with such power.
Mr. Havel has worked as a theatre technician in the beginning of his theatre career, but most of the OISTAT community will remember him as a playwright, a true artist who cared for the people and a courageous political thinker with a good understanding in the power of arts.
Click here for Havel' short bio
