Concert and Gala Dinner - 15 Years of Freedom

Vaclav Havel Honored at AFoCR Awards Dinner in Washington

AFoCR President Phil Kasik, Count Schwarzenberg with Civil Society Vision Award, Secretary Albright, Dana Nemcova, NED President Carl Gershman, Secretary to Vaclav Havel Jakub Hladik

Washington, June 17 – American Friends of the Czech Republic held its third Awards dinner in Washington with a gala event attended by over 230 guests. This year's honoree was former Czech President Václav Havel who received the Civil Society Vision Award. AFoCR Director Fred Malek served as chairman for the event with Czech Ambassador to the U.S. Martin Palouš serving as co-chairman.

The gala dinner was held at the JW Marriott Hotel on historic Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. In addition to honoring President Havel for his contribution to restoring freedom to Czechoslovakia, the Gala celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union and also marked 2004, the Year of Czech Music. Czech pianist Lukaš Vondracek, 17 year old piano prodigy from the Czech Republic, began the evening with a spirited performance of works by Dvorak, Mozart, Brahms and Lizst. During the reception following the performance, guests were treated to the music of Czech harpist Michaela Trnkova.

President Havel, unable to travel to the U.S. because of his health, accepted the award and addressed the guests by video from Prague. Prince Karl Schwarzenberg who served as a member of President Havel's Consulting Board, head of the President's Office at Prague Castle, and later Chancellor, accepted the Award on behalf of President Havel. Ambassador Martin Palouš was instrumental in arranging for Prince Schwarzenberg's visit.

Moving tributes were paid to President Havel by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, Carl Gershman, President of National Endowment for Democracy, and Dana Nemcova, human rights advocate, signer of Charter 77, and a leader in the Velvet Revolution.

AFoCR Vice-President Mike Rokos, Ambassador Cabaniss, Secretary Tom Ridge, AFoCR Treasurer Peter Rafaeli

Honored guests for the evening included U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic William J. Cabaniss as well as former U.S. Ambassador Craig Stapleton. Rounding out the list of honored guests of the evening were several ambassadors and representatives of other EU nations including Austria , Hungary , Poland , Slovakia , and Ireland among others.

Previous recipients of the prestigious AFoCR Civil Society Vision Award have been former Secretary of State Madeline Albright (2000), Hank Greenberg (CEO of American International Group), Maurice Wolfensohn (President of the World Bank) and Fred Malek (corporate leader and advisor to Presidents), each of whom received the award in 2002.

To commemorate Dvorak's death in 1904 and his accomplishments, the Czech government proclaimed 2004 to be the “Year of Czech Music.” Dvorak was famous for helping to define American music as well as Czech music. He composed and taught in both the United States and in the Czech Lands and is revered worldwide. The gala concert performed by pianist Lukaš Vondracek was a spectacular celebration of Dvorak and his music.

Ambassador Palous, Pianist Lukas Vondracek, Secretary Albright

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