About this Event
Discover the man behind the public figure in Citizen Havel, an intimate look at the life of former Czech President Václav Havel.
NYU Washington, DC, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic and EUNIC, presents the documentary Citizen Havel (Občan Havel) an intimate documentary chronicling his Václav Havel’s years as president, on November 16, at 6 pm (doors open).
Drawing on behind-the-scenes footage, the film reveals Havel navigating the everyday realities of political life while remaining deeply conscious of the moral responsibilities of leadership. A discussion following the screening will consider Havel’s legacy and the continuing relevance of his ideas about democracy, civic responsibility, truth, and freedom of expression.
About the Film: Citizen Havel (Občan Havel)
Directed by Miroslav Janek, Pavel Koutecký, 120 minutes
in Czech with English subtitles, 2007
At once humorous, candid, and revealing, Citizen Havel offers a rare portrait of a dissident playwright adapting to the halls of power without abandoning the principles that brought him there.
The screening is part of the EUNIC project The Art of Freedom: Voices of Expression from Europe to America and the Embassy of the Czech Republic’s series Truth and Love: Celebrating Václav Havel and Freedom of Expression.
Event Details:
Date/Time: November 16, 6 pm (Doors open)
Welcome drink, followed by a screening
Location: NYU Washington, DC
1307 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005
RSVP required! | Admission is free.
Seating is first come, first served.
Truth and Love: Celebrating Václav Havel and Freedom of Expression
The program is part of the project Truth and Love: Celebrating Václav Havel and Freedom of Expression, marking the 90th anniversary of Václav Havel’s birth, hosted by the Embassy of the Czech Republic and partners in fall 2026. Through theater, public dialogue, and youth creativity, the project honors Havel’s lifelong defense of human dignity and the power of truth.
The Art of Freedom: Voices of Expression from Europe to America.
The Art of Freedom: Voices of Expression from Europe to America is a dynamic cultural initiative by the EUNIC cluster in Washington, D.C., exploring freedom of expression through the power of the arts. Through artistic collaborations, public debates, and immersive experiences, European and American voices come together to reimagine freedom, creativity, and democracy across the Atlantic.
Event venue & nearby stays
NYU Washington, DC, 1307 L Street Northwest, Washington, United States
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