Václav Havel

1991

The text of the medal presented reads:

Karlspreis zu Aachen 1991
Václav Havel
Symbol der Verständigung in Europa

Vita

1936
1936
Born in Prague
Degree in transport studies, not completed for political reasons
1954–1957
1954–1957
1960
1960
writer-in-residence at the Theatre on the Balustrade in Prague
World premieres of his plays
1963, 1965, 1968
1963, 1965, 1968
1968
1968
Ban on performances and publications after the Prague Spring
co-founder and spokesperson of the human rights group Charta 77
1977
1977
1989
1989
Chairman of the Citizens' Forum and organiser of the mass protests
First democratically elected president of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic
1989
1989
1992
1992
Withdrawal after the dissolution of the federation
President of the Czech Republic
1993
1993
2011
2011
deceased

Text of the Certificate of Honour

On Ascension Day, 9 May 1991, in the Coronation Hall of the City Hall, the former Imperial Palace, the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen was awarded to Václav Havel, President of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, in honour of his commitment to the spirit of freedom and the realisation of peace in his country and throughout Europe.