Havel – Prečan Vojtěch Čelko

This book is the fourth collection of Václav Havel’s correspondence. The volume, which records the correspondence between Havel and the Czech émigré and founder of the Charter 77 Foundation František Janouch, was last published in 2007. It originated as a project of the Czechoslovak Documentation Centre and has been financed by Germany’s Fritz Thyssen Foundation.

The spiritual father of the book is the historian Vojtech Čelko. He prepared for publication a sheaf of 250 letters between Havel and Prečan that capture the relationship in letters of the two men, one of whom lived in Czechoslovakia and one of whom lived in West Germany. Almost all of the missives were delivered by diplomatic currier, which allowed for an open exchange of opinions and information. The correspondence will be supplemented by accompanying texts and footnotes so that it can serve as a critical edition for experts as well as an interesting and enlightening read for readers of all kinds.

In terms of theme, the correspondence is very broad – from everyday issues in Czechoslovakia to debates about Czechoslovak history. It concerns both the activities of Charter 77 and other citizens’ initiatives and political exile, as well as the joint coordination and synchronisation of important activities, which was agreed in the letters.