Historie a odpovědnost: Karel Habsburský o Evropě v době nových výzev

The year 2026 marks an important jubilee – 500 years since the accession of the Habsburgs to the Czech throne. On this occasion, the Václav Havel Library will welcome Karl Habsburg, the current head of the House of Habsburg, a prominent figure in European public life and a long-time supporter of European cooperation and freedom. In his lecture, he will focus on the legacy of the Habsburg tradition in today's Europe, the importance of historical memory for a democratic society, and the challenges that the European continent faces in times of geopolitical change. Karel Habsburg has long followed the intellectual legacy of his father Otto Habsburg, one of the most important supporters of European integration and a united Europe after the Second World War. In recent years, he has also been significantly involved in supporting Ukraine and its right to freedom, independence and a European future. It publicly draws attention to the importance of defending democratic values ​​against authoritarian regimes and to Europe's responsibility in protecting security, stability and international law.

The discussion will offer a unique opportunity to think about the place of the Czech countries and Central Europe in European history and how the experiences of the past can contribute to the search for answers to the questions of the present. The evening will also include space for questions and debate with the audience.

The evening will be hosted by Svetlana Witowská.

The event will be held in English with simultaneous translation into Czech.