go to the original language article
“`html
Brussels/Bratislava – Approximately 100 Slovaks and Czechs met on Sunday evening in the Brussels park Leopold at the Václav Havel Bench to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution and its message for today, along with the Czech Ambassador to the EU, Edita Hrdá, and the Slovak Ambassador to the EU, Juraj Nociar. This is reported by the TASR correspondent.
The Václav Havel Bench was ceremonially unveiled in October 2021 and has been a place for various cultural and social events for three years.
The Czech Ambassador to the EU reminded, after the playing of the national anthems of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, that Czechs and Slovaks – just like last year – came to this place to recall the events from 35 years ago, appreciating that they came with children to whom they can pass on the message of the Velvet Revolution.
“For me personally, it is one of the most important national holidays,” she said, explaining that it was a significant turning point in the life of society, which has well realized in 35 years what this day means “for our history, present, but also future.” She also emphasized that it is important to pass on the legacy of Václav Havel.
“We, who knew him and worked with him, knew that his reflections were deep and were based on clear and simple principles. Perhaps he would be surprised today that mutual tolerance and discussion have disappeared from our society,” said Hrdá.
In his speech, Nociar described the Velvet Revolution as the most crucial moment in the modern history of Slovaks and Czechs, reminding that November 17 did not come like “a bolt from the blue,” as it was preceded by a candle demonstration in 1988 and also by the student march of November 16 in Bratislava.
“Without November, it would be hard to consider that the Czech Republic and Slovakia would be part of the EU and part of the western democratic world,” he said. He also mentioned Havel, without whose non-confrontational thinking, actions, and organization of civil society the revolutionary changes of 1989 would certainly have been less “velvet.”
According to him, this is a great message for today’s society because we see how not only political forces but the whole society, not only in our countries but throughout Europe and the world, are polarizing.
“Let us be glad that Czechs and Slovaks have met again in the European Union, as we were before in one common state. However, we must continue to ensure that the message of November 17 not only persists but also that we continue to nurture it,” concluded Nociar. (November 17).
“Without November, it would be hard to consider that the Czech Republic and Slovakia would be part of the EU and part of the western democratic world”: Juraj Nociar
“`