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President Gauck gives a speach at Charles University

In his speech today, which was largely devoted to Czech-German coexistence, President of the Federal Republic of Germany Joachim Gauck described our alma mater, Charles University, as a symbol of Europe, the opportunities and risks presented by science and, last but not least, the courage to use one’s own reason.


Prior to his speech, President Gauck accepted a gold commemorative medal from Rector Tomáš Zima for his services to the fight for democracy, freedom and human rights and the development of cooperation and understanding between nations.


“The university has been a true reflection of historical events, the pars pro toto of major politics. From its illustrious beginnings during the reign of a charismatic emperor, it reached its nadir during the time of totalitarian regimes. However now, thanks to the efforts of Czechs and Slovaks engaged in resistance to those regimes, it is again a place for free discourse,” said President Gauck, expressing his deep respect for the long succession of independent, democratic students and professors to have worked at the university.


Czech-German relations have been, in the words of President Gauck, a history of suffering: “Sometimes it seems a miracle that we have not suffocated under the weight of memories. Sometimes it seems a miracle that we could even look each other in the eye, talk to each other, even find the courage in our souls to understand and reconcile with one another and to again write our shared history.” In relation to this, President Gauck highlighted Václav Havel as his great role model. “If we are to live in truth, as it was understood by Václav Havel, then we can words and a path that truly lead to reconciliation,” he stated.


In the words of President Gauck, the peaceful, shared future of Czechs and Germans in a shared Europe shall remain a reality so long as European values such as individuality and freedom, justice and forgiveness are experienced by all. The German President concluded his speech with a reference to Heinrich Böll’s quote that we should never send a tank after Kafka.


Press and PR Office

Charles University in Prague

Date: 6. 5. 2014



Last change: January 21, 2015 12:20 
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