Václav Havel

Václav Havel was a Czech playwright, essayist, and politician who became a leading figure in the peaceful democracy movement in Eastern Europe. He played a key role in ending communist rule in Czechoslovakia, notably through the Velvet Revolution of 1989. Havel served as the country's last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic. Known for his commitment to human rights, democracy, and moral integrity, he believed in the power of dialogue and truth. His leadership helped transition Czechoslovakia from authoritarianism to a free, democratic society rooted in civic responsibility.