UNAB Public Policy Institute Presented a Discussion on the Figure of the Former President of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel

In the context of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Czech Republic and Chile, the seminar «Democracy and Freedom: The Legacy of Former President of the Czech Republic Václav Havel,» which sought to highlight a key figure in the transition to democracy in Czechoslovakia during his ties with the Soviet Union, as well as after his fall as President of the Czech Republic.

Pavel Bechny, Ambassador of the Czech Republic, highlighted the parallels between Havel and Aylwin as political figures capable of peacefully overcoming the transition from a totalitarian/dictatorial regime to a democracy.

«I want to highlight this activity as one of the important events for us as an embassy. This year marks 100 years of our relationship with Chile. The most important aspect of this relationship between the two countries was the return to democracy, which occurred in very similar times, in our case with a totalitarian left-wing regime and in Chile with a dictatorial right-wing regime», commented the Ambassador.

The occasion also served to present the bust of Havel, by sculptor Cristián Meza Avendaño, the same sculptor who created the statue of Patricio Aylwin outside the Palacio de La Moneda.

Václav Havel, a Peaceful Transition

In his welcome, UNAB President Julio Castro highlighted Havel’s figure through his book The Power of the Powerless and his role in the so-called «Velvet Revolution.» This essay, as the President explained, «is a reflection on man’s need to live in truth, to follow the call to conscience and raise his voice against lies,» a topic that he described as very relevant in current times, especially considering the situation in Venezuela.

Soledad Alvear, former foreign minister, referred to Václav Havel’s negotiating and approachable approach, especially in his role as a leader close to the people. «Havel is a light to look at in these times,» he commented.

«He was a humanist of those that are not abundant… he had a negotiating look and understood that implosion was not the solution, and, in part, that is why the Velvet Revolution was so interesting,» explained Alvear.

Historian Lucía Santa Cruz highlighted his role as a democratic figure and promoter of freedom: «as a guide for personal conduct, not as the right to do what we want but as, literally, the power to do what we must.

«I remember with great emotion the one time I had the opportunity and privilege to see Havel and hear him speak about his hopes for Czechoslovakia, the importance of freedom and democracy, and above all, those values that should inspire our civilization at the end of the 20th century, values that are just as applicable today, perhaps even more necessary in light of our current challenges,» recounted the renowned historian about her experience with the former president.

Finally, Fernando Claro highlighted his work and his role as artist and playwright creator of «Audience,» a play about the absurd, in which two characters try to communicate through a common language without being able to understand each other, that is, a situation in which language loses its function, in a criticism of the totalitarianism of the communist regime prevailing at that time.

Venezuela, an Unavoidable Topic

The activity was closed with a review of the current situation in Venezuela and possible diplomatic solutions to repression and irregularities in the electoral process.

«What is happening in Venezuela is tremendous, not only because of the non-recognition of who actually won the elections, but also because of the repression of democracy, with dead, disappeared, and tortured people,» commented Soledad Alveal, who also added:

«What Chile has done, by not recognizing Maduro’s victory and condemning human rights violations, is a policy of our country since the return to democracy… in this case, in particular, the best thing would be to seek a negotiated solution, which I think is what could save this situation».

For her part, Lucía Santa Cruz described the current situation in the Caribbean country as «a horror.» Regarding a possible exit, he explained that recognizing Gonzalez as president is «a simplistic option. In democratic practice, governments are not recognized until they effectively exercise power and Maduro has control of the Armed Forces and power».