The Velvet Revolution was a non-violent uprising in Czechoslovakia that saw the overthrow of the Communist government. On November 17, 1989, police suppressed a peaceful student demonstration in Prague. Among the protesters were many young employees of Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences. Based on the November events, civil forums were created at worksplaces. In consequences of the political evolvement, some of the compromised directors from institutes left their positions and during the following six months all directors had to be evaluated. Scientific committies began to form. On November 6, 1989, the entire presidium of ČSAV resigned and December 12, the Chamber of elected representatives of ČSAV was established. This organ became a carrier of fundamental changes, for example the first Czech science foundation was set up and proposals for evaluation of the institutes formed. The new organization structures of Academy were created. and Antonín Kostlán.
The largest international research centre for particle physics, the construction of which the Czech scientific community played a very important role, is celebrating the 60th year since its foundation in September 1954. It operates the 17-mile long Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the largest accelerator in the world. Its official name is the “European Organization for Nuclear Research”, but it is known internationally known by the acronym CERN (from the French, Conseil Européen pour la recherche nucléaire). A noteworthy interactive exhibition took place at ASCR headquarters from September 2 to October 12, 2014 was open to the public without charge. In an “interactive tunnel,” ASCR President Prof. Jiří Drahoš opened the exhibition with a ceremonial “kick-off of the protons.” CERN is the prototype of programmes for European cooperation through which a number of European projects have been built,” Professor Drahoš said. He cited the Czech scientific community for its involvement in experimental and scientific work there. Membership in CERN is important for the Czech Republic not only in terms of participation in top experiments, but significantly in providing young scientists and engineers an invaluable opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills for application in their nations. This issue of Academic bulletin features an interview with dr. Daniel Krasnický from CERN and Universitá di Genova and interview with dr. Jan Blaha from Stanford University who cooperates with CERN. and Jiří Chýla.
Academic Materials Research Laboratory of Painted Artworks (ALMA) is a joint workplace of the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague (AFA) and the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (IIC ASCR). This is a scientific laboratory focused on the Czech cultural heritage. Combining the branches of the natural sciences, art and the history of art, ALMA seeks to deepen the knowledge of painting materials and techniques. The knowledge acquired is integrated into a complete evaluation of painted art works by origin, age, and authenticity. The ALMA Laboratory develops instrumental materials analysis methods and interprets the results in the context of art history and history of materials technology. and Silvie Švarcová, David Hradil.