The Interviews
The complexity of Václav Havel's life and ideas can be fully appreciated only by viewing him from several perspectives. Havel is not only a political leader, but a world renowned artist. His rise to prominence as an essayist, political and human rights activist, and ultimately leader of his country represent the many sides of Havel. Havel's theatrical background was a clear influence on his revolutionary activities.
The interviews presented here focus on Havel the citizen and Havel the artist, offering a number of perspectives from Columbia University faculty, friends of Havel, and others. Use these interviews to examine and reflect on Havel's life and work.
Bradley Abrams
Associate Director, Harriman Institute and Associate Professor, History Department
Columbia University
Lisa Anderson
Dean
School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University
Edward Albee
Playwright
Lee C. Bollinger
President, Columbia University
George H.W. Bush
Forty-first President of the United States
Edward Einhorn
Artistic Director
Untitled Theater #61, and presenter of the Havel Festival
Milos Forman
Filmmaker
Chris Harwood
Lecturer in Czech
Slavic Languages, Columbia University
William and Wendy Luers
Former President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and former Ambassador to Czechoslovakia; Founder and President of the Foundation for a Civil Society.
Gregory Mosher
Director University Arts Initiative
Columbia University
Jan Novak
Writer, Translator of Havel's plays and Documentary Filmmaker
Ambassador Martin Palouš
Czech Ambassador to the United Nations, former Czech Ambassador to the United States and former spokesperson of Charter 77
Martin Puchner
H. Gordon Garbedian Professor of English and Comparative Literature
Columbia University
Lou Reed
Artist, Musician
David Remnick
Editor,
The New Yorker
George Soros
Founder and Chairman
Open Society Institute and the Soros Foundations Network
Amy Trompetter
Senior Lecturer
Department of Theatre, Barnard College