Vaclav Havel, the last President of Czechoslovakia and the first President of the Czech Republic, will 
be presented with an honorary doctorate by Bilkent University at the Concert Hall on Wednesday, October 11, at
11:15 a.m. Everybody is invited to this special ceremony and to the speech to be given by the Czech president.
Vaclav Havel is a writer and dramatist. He has published a number of studies and articles in various literary and theatrical periodicals and also acted as the Chair of the Club of Independent Writers.
Havel was imprisoned three times for his views, and spent nearly five years behind bars. During this time, Czechoslovak authorities made it impossible for any of Havel's texts to be published. Under the guidance of Havel's former literary agent, the German publishing company Rowholt compiled a nearly complete edition of Havel's works.
In 1993, the Chamber of Deputies elected Vaclav Havel as the first President of the Independent Czech Republic. For his literary and dramatic works, his lifelong efforts and ideas, and his stance on human rights, Vaclav Havel has been the recipient of a number of state decorations, international awards and honorary doctorates.
