Condolence to Mr. Václav Havel from the Independent Chinese PEN Center

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Dear Jiri, dear Igor and the friends of the Czech PEN,

The Independent Chinese PEN (ICPC), my Chinese colleagues and I are deeply saddened that Mr. Václav Havel has passed away on December 18th.

Mr. Havel was a great humanist. His humanity illuminated both his literary and political achievements. As a past victim of the communist-dictatorship, he set up an example, how powerful a powerless is in fighting for the freedom and human dignity.Havel’s spirit and courage have inspired generations of Chinese intellectuals. People devour his books and speeches. The former president of ICPC, Mr. Liu Xiaobo,has been a follower of Mr. Havel ever since he was a young writer in the 80s. He has modeled Charter 77 and initiated with others the Charter 08 in searching for a democratic future of China in 2008. After Liu’s arrest and sentence, Mr. Havel has shown his solidarity with Liu Xiaobo and appealed repeatedly for his release. He also nominated Liu to Noble Peace Prize. On December 10th this year, despite his bad health, Mr. Havel still lauched the Forum 2000 Conference in Prague, a roundtable focused on the democracy and human rights situation in Asia as well as in commemoration of the first anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo.The world and the Chinese intellectuals will keep Václav Havel in their memory as paragon and friend. The world becomes more beautiful and dignified because of you.

In deep condolence and gratitude

Tienchi Martin-Liao

President of the Independent Chinese PEN Center

Dear Tienchi and other friends, Thank you. Here is my tribute to the dear Old Men whom we owe so much and who has deserved to depart and leave behind his tired, fragile human shell. He is for sure now already on the way to the Transcendent Spirituality he was so longing for or maybe he is already there. I have mentioned at the end of the article Liu Xiaobo. And I mean that seriously. Havel has gone. But he has stayed among us, and Liu Xiaobo is one of the bearers. So we should not be said. We have been blessed to know great people, to work for them and to be inspired by them

Best
Igor

Head of People in Need

Dear Tienchi,

Thank you for your letter, I will transmitt your message to all of our members. We will inform you and the PEN International about our activities concernig VH.

With my best regards

JIRI

President of the Czech PEN