Submitted by Margaret McNamara on the 2016 fall semester study abroad program in Prague, Czech Republic…
One of the most well-loved Czech figures—both in the Czech Republic and around the world—is Václav Havel, the first president of the Czech Republic. Before he was elected president, he was a writer, philosopher and some say he was one of the greatest intellectuals of the 20th century. During communist time his work caught the attention of the government and he was imprisoned. The communist party saw him as a controversial figure, but I suppose that’s what the Czech people needed at the end of that era so Havel became president of the Czech Republic. His birthday is October 5th and all month there have been memorials placed around Prague.
Walking around the city, it’s evident that the Czech people have lots of respect for their former leader. There’s a genuine and perhaps unanimous admiration for this man and I don’t think I’ve experienced this kind of love for a political figure anywhere else in the world. It’s little differences like this that make me curious about a place’s literature and history. It makes me want to dig to fill in the gaps about what makes a culture love someone so much, what greatness is here and more. While I don’t have the answers to all of that just yet, I love these moments when you ask the right question and you know the explanation will offer a huge insight into the place you are in.