The exhibition features a unique collection of photographs from the archive of the Václav Havel Library, documenting key moments from the life of Václav Havel (1937–2011) as a playwright, writer, dissident, and statesman, who served as the last President of Czechoslovakia and the first President of the Czech Republic.

The photographs are complemented by selected quotations from his essays, correspondence and plays, creating a dialogue between image and text and offering visitors a deeper understanding of both his personal trajectory and intellectual legacy.

Particular attention is paid to Václav Havel’s relationship with Japan. The exhibition includes rare photographs from his first state visit to Japan as President of Czechoslovakia, which took place on 22 April 1992, as well as images from his meetings with Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko. These encounters were followed by the first and so far only visit of the Japanese imperial couple to Prague in 2002. The exhibition further recalls Václav Havel’s visit to Japan in 1995, when he was one of the key speakers at the international conference The Future of Hope in Hiroshima. In 2021, the first Václav Havel Bench in Asia was unveiled at Hiroshima Shudo University, symbolising the lasting resonance of his ideas in the region.

The ceremonial opening was conducted by Mr. Martin Klučar, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Japan. Guests were also addressed by Mr. David Dušek from the Václav Havel Library, who shared personal reflections on Václav Havel and recalled the Library’s role in preserving and promoting his legacy. Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chairman of the Nippon Foundation and co‑founder of Forum 2000, also commemorated Václav Havel’s personality and delivered the ceremonial toast. Prior to the opening, a press briefing was also held for representatives of the Japanese media, featuring remarks by Professor Kenichi Abe, the dedicated translator of Václav Havel’s works into Japanese.

The exhibition „Václav Havel, familiar and unfamiliar“ attracted significant interest and confirming that Václav Havel’s personality, values and ideas continue to resonate in an international context.

The exhibition will be continued at the Czech Centre Tokyo, where it will be open to the public until 12 June 2026.