Prague: “I would be happy if Pope John Paul II and the Tibetan Dalai Lama, visited our country even if only for a single day,” said Czechoslovak President Vaclav Havel in his first New Year’s speech on January 1, 1990. A month after President Havel’s personal invitation, in February 1990, His Holiness actually arrived for a several-day visit to what was then Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic).
Inspired by this landmark meeting of the two great leaders and the enduring support for His Holiness over the years, the Tibet Open House, a Tibetan Buddhist centre based in Prague, is launching a photo exhibition titled ‘If only for a single day’ on 9 July 2020, 6 pm (Central European Summer Time).
In a press release issued last week, the Tibet Open House said the exhibition is also an expression of support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 85th birthday.
“The Dalai Lama’s visit helped Czech society to raise the issue of respect for the human right to liberty and opened up space for free expression. The visit of the Dalai Lama with his supporters took place in various parts of Prague and the exhibition of Stanislav Doležal´s photographs, including texts by the then Havel secretary and the writer Saša Neuman, captures the spontaneous atmosphere of these moments and is a unique testimony to the intense experience of our modern history,” it said.
Congratulating the Tibet Open House on the initiative, His Holiness the Dalai Lama extended a written message on the occasion.
“I understand that in cooperation with Tibet Open House of Prague, some of our friends are commemorating the occasion of my first visit through an exhibition, which includes photographs taken by Standa Dolezal and a documentary film,” His Holiness said, adding that he was “overwhelmed by the very warm and spontaneous affection shown by so many people” during his first visit over 30 years ago.
“It was a great honour to visit Prague for the first time in February 1990 at the invitation of President Vaclav Havel. Indeed, it was a memorable and rare experience, following his election as president of then Czechoslovakia, and also soon after the fall of the Berlin wall. I was deeply impressed by the late leader’s genuine and strong conviction in truth, justice, freedom and human dignity.”
His Holiness added that he had the opportunity to meet President Havel quite regularly since then, “during which we discussed issues of mutual interest.”
Even after the passing of President Vaclav, His Holiness said he’s participated in Forum 2000 Conferences organised by Forum 2000 Foundation that pursues the legacy of Václav Havel by advancing the values of democracy and respect for human rights.
Marked to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the historic visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet Open House’s exhibition will feature photographs taken by Standa Dolezal,showcasing “the unique atmosphere of this very rare event, and commemorates the 30th anniversary.”
“The exhibition is open to the general public until the end of September, and during the summer the Tibet Open House will also prepare an additional program in the form of screenings of thematic films and lecturers,” the press release read. Documentaries such as ‘Om…’ about this visit of the Dalai Lama, shot by David Ondříček and Martin Benc, a documentary by Viliam Poltikovič about the friendship between the Dalai Lama and Václav Havel In the Embrace of the Dalai Lama and others will be screened.
The Tibet Open House, a unique Tibetan Buddhist centre is established and supported by the Linhart Foundation. The Tibet Open House project in 2016 was personally blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a personal audience for Geshe Yeshi Gawa, resident lama of the centre and Jan Mayer, President of the Linhart Foundation, and was later blessed by His Holiness the Karmapa.