Havel’s Place as a project took off more than 10 years ago, in 2013, out of the initiative of Petr Gandalovič (ex-ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United States) and Bořek Šípek (architect and designer). The monuments take on a simple yet powerful form: two chairs facing each other, positioned at a round table with a linden tree, one of the symbols of the Czech Republic, sprouting in the middle. The design reflects some of Václav Havel’s core values: humanism, dialogue, understanding and democracy. Through this design, each and every Havel’s Place around the globe reserves a small part of public space and turns it into a platform where people can face each other as equals, debate, think and focus on their similarities while respecting their differences.

The unveiling ceremony took place on Friday, 18^th of September, and was accompanied by the speeches of Dr. Cecilia Rokusek, President of NCSML; Ann Poe and Ashley Vanorny on behalf of the Cedar Rapids Mayor and City Council; Jakub Utěšený, Czech Consul General in Chicago and Martin Palouš, former Czech Ambassador to the United States. The unveiling occurred only a few days before what would have been Václav Havel’s 90^th birthday and thus constituted a deeply symbolic and historic event, as Consul General Utěšený put it.

As the inscription on the unveiled table provides: “Truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred”. These powerful words will oversee the newly dedicated Heritage Garden, constructed by the Museum in its vicinity. Havel’s Place will provide a meaningful backdrop to all the people coming to pay tribute to their friends and family at this new significant memorial.

We extend our wishes that the newly dedicated monument will provide a venue of meeting, meaningful discussions, reconciliation and understanding not only to the visitors of the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library but to all the inhabitants of Cedar Rapids and to anyone who happens to find themselves in this beautiful and unique part of the American Midwest. We also hope that the words of former Ambassador Palouš come true, and that anyone who comes and sits on the newly dedicated benches has the opportunity to feel and take on a small bit of Havel’s powerful legacy.