Vaclav Havel Center

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the staged reading of Hi**er’s President 🇸🇰 last week.

It was a powerful evening of theater, reflection, and conversation centered on one of the most difficult chapters of Slovak history. The play examines former Slovak President Jozef Tiso and his complicity with Hi**er during World War II through real letters written by Jews during the Holocaust, pleading for exemption from deportation to concentration camps.

We are especially grateful to historian Madeline Vadkerty, whose research uncovered these extraordinary documents and whose discussion following the reading brought invaluable historical context to the evening.

A special thank you to playwright Luba Lesná, director Alexander Harrington, the cast and creative team, and our partners at the Society for the History of Czechoslovak Jews for helping bring this important story to New York audiences.

And if you missed this reading, join us tonight for Vaněk 2026 — a contemporary reimagining of Václav Havel’s iconic dissident character Ferdinand Vaněk, and the final staged reading of our Spring Series.

🎭 Rehearsal for Truth Festival 2026
�RSVP via the link: www.rehearsalfortruth.org

We’re honored to share that Rehearsal for Truth Theatre Festival by has been featured in American Theatre magazine — the leading national publication for theatre in the U.S. 🇺🇸

The article reflects on Václav Havel’s legacy, the importance of artistic resistance, and why theatre continues to matter in times of political and social uncertainty.

Thank you to American Theatre for highlighting the mission of our festival and the voices we bring to the stage each year in New York.

Thank you also to - Artistic Director of the Rehearsal for Truth Festival, for his great work to every year’s festival.

Read the full article here:
https://www.americantheatre.org/2026/05/21/vaclav-havel-would-want-us-to-fight-and-hope/

Next in our Rehearsal for Truth Spring Reading Series — Hi**er’s President (Slovakia)🇸🇰

📅 Thursday, May 28, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Bohemian National Hall, New York

Join us for a staged reading of Hi**er’s President, a powerful new Slovak play by Luba Lesna examining former Slovak President Jozef Tiso and his complicity with Hi**er during World War II.

Based on the book Your Honour, Mr President by historian Madeline Vadkerty, the play draws from real letters written by Jews during the Holocaust pleading for mercy and exemption from deportation to concentration camps.

Directed by Alexander Harrington, the reading will be followed by a discussion with Madeline Vadkerty about the history behind the play.

Presented in association with the Society for the History of Czechoslovak Jews.

🎭 Rehearsal for Truth Festival 2026
RSVP: https://www.rehearsalfortruth.org/program/hitlers-president

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the staged reading of Antonina 🇺🇦 last night.

🎭 Rehearsal for Truth Festival 2026
RSVP 🔗 www.rehearsalfortruth.org

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYpJ9MEiEBU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the staged reading of Antonina 🇺🇦 last night. It was a moving evening of theater, reflection, and conversation, bringing audiences into the powerful true story behind Tetiana Kytsenko’s new play. We are grateful to the cast and creative team, and all our collaborators for helping bring Antonina’s story to the stage. Produced in association with the Voyage Theater Company @voyagetheaterco , this reading is a project of LINKAGES: Ukraine and the Worldwide Ukrainian Play Readings @tcd_ukrainian_play_readings , both supervised by the Center for International Theatre Development (CITD) @citd.us We’re happy to share a few moments from the evening. 🎭 Rehearsal for Truth Festival 2026 @havelcenter @bblanewyork 
RSVP via the link in our bio or
🔗 rehearsalfortruth.org #rehearsalfortruth #vaclavhavel #theater #nycevents #stagedreading #offbroadway #czechart #newyorktheatre #dissent #humanrights

Missed the Annual Václav Havel Lecture with economist and philosopher Tomáš Sedláček?

Now you can watch the full lecture online.🎥

An evening of thoughtful reflections on economics, democracy, responsibility, and the moral questions shaping our world today — inspired by the legacy of Václav Havel.

Thank you again to Tomáš Sedláček for this inspiring and deeply engaging conversation.

Watch the full lecture here: https://youtu.be/I_luV17K5_I

Second staged reading of this year’s Rehearsal for Truth Festival — Antonina 🇺🇦

Join us for a staged reading of Antonina, a powerful new work exploring memory, resilience, and the human cost of history. A talkback with the directors follows.

📅 Thursday, May 21, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Bohemian National Hall, New York

A new Ukrainian play exploring the real life of her friend, a nonbinary soldier named Antonina Romanova. Two actors represent the male and female aspects of Antonina.

Produced in association with the Voyage Theater Company, this reading is a project of LINKAGES: Ukraine and the Worldwide Ukrainian Play Readings, both supervised by the Center for International Theatre Development (CITD)

Part of Rehearsal for Truth 2026, the international festival of dissenting theater inspired by the legacy of Václav Havel.

Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association

🎭 Rehearsal for Truth Festival 2026
RSVP: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/havelcenter/2104593

📢 Deadline for nominations: May 20, 2026

The Vaclav Havel Center is currently accepting nominations for the 2026 “Disturbing the Peace” Award to a Courageous Writer at Risk.

The award honors writers who have shown courage in defending democracy and human rights while facing persecution for their work and public dissent.

✨ $5,000 cash prize�✨ Celebrating the award’s 10th anniversary (2016–2026)�✨ Nominations accepted worldwide

Contact:💌[email protected]

The Vaclav Havel Center is accepting nominations for the 2026 “Disturbing the Peace” Award to a Courageous Writer at Risk🖋️

The award honors writers who are courageous in dissent and have faced unjust persecution for their outspoken defense of democracy and human rights. It recognizes those whose words and moral courage challenge oppression and keep the spirit of freedom alive.

The award includes a $5,000 cash prize and, if feasible, travel to New York City to receive the prize.

Nominations are open to institutions and individuals worldwide for writers from any country who advocate for human rights and have suffered unjust persecution. Nominations of women and writers from the Global South are especially encouraged. Submissions should include a short biography, bibliography, and a statement outlining the reasons for the nomination.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the award (2016–2026), celebrating a decade of honoring courageous writers around the world.

📅 Deadline for nominations: May 20, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
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Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Annual Václav Havel Lecture with economist and philosopher Tomáš Sedláček

It was an inspiring evening of thoughtful discussion, bringing together ideas on economics and philosophy. We are grateful to Tomáš Sedláček for his engaging and thought-provoking lecture, and to our partners and guests for making the event so special.

We’re happy to share a few moments from the evening—take a look at the highlights below.

With thanks to our collaborators: the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York Czech Consulate General in New York, Václav Havel Library (Prague) Knihovna Václava Havla , the Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association (BBLA) Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association , and Czexpats in Science.

Stay tuned for more upcoming events spreading the Havel legacy.🤍

Dissent Lab has launched.🎙️

A new podcast from the Václav Havel Center created in honor of what would have been Havel’s 90th birthday.

But this isn’t about the past.
It’s about now.

Dissent Lab brings you conversations with contemporary dissidents — voices from the front lines of the fight for human rights. People who have faced imprisonment, torture, and exile for standing up to power.

🎙 Episode 1 is out now
Featuring Venezuelan opposition leader Jesús Armas, recently released after 14 months in detention in one of the country’s most notorious prisons.

In conversation with host Peter Green, he speaks about resistance, survival — and what it takes to keep going.

This is not abstract debate.
These are lived experiences.

At a time when democratic values are under pressure worldwide, we ask:
What does it mean to resist today?

🎧 Listen now on
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dissent-lab/id1895762831
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kvST8t5iYbcMY1P6Ino50?si=b34a34a2f95441de
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8cbf5ce8-d663-4b52-abd2-854062cd7a6f/dissent-lab

Follow on Instagram for upcoming episodes and behind-the-scenes moments.