The symbol of the contemporary Czech state, the last Czechoslovak and the first Czech president Václav Havel died on December 18, 2011. He first came to international fame as a dissident playwright in the 1970s through his involvement with the human rights manifesto Charter 77. He was prosecuted for his stances and spent many years in prison. Not only thousands of Czechs gathered on Novemeber 23, 2011 for the funeral for Václav Havel, but also leaders from across Europe and around the world joined to mourn Mr. Havel at the St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague Castle. Academic bulletin features personal memories of Václav Havel by Honorary President of the ASCR Rudolf Zahradník, former President of the ASCR Helena Illnerová and the Czech philosopher Jan Sokol. and Rudolf Zahradník.
Soon after becoming the head of the Academy of Sciences in 2009, Professor Drahoš was faced with questions concerning the very survival of the institution and a crisis in funding caused by a wrong methodology of evaluation. During the past year, the Academy engaged in an evaluation of its 54 institutions. All of this involved a considerable amount of work. The electoral term of Professor Drahoš’s presidency is nearing its completion, so this affords an opportunity for a succinct recapitulation of his achievements. and Marina Hužvárová.
One of the architectural jewels of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in Prague is its Villa Lanna. The Editorial Staff of Academic bulletin decided it deserved recognition with a supplement the Academy's official magazine, enclosed with the September issue. The Staff is indebted to Prof. Jan Bažant who kindly wrote the historical and artistic aspects of this magnificent edifice. On October 8, 2013, the Editorial Staff arranged a small celebration during which Professor Ba2ant guided a group on a tour through this outstanding Neo-Renaissance villa. A photography gallery of the celebration is available on the third cover of this issue as well at the http://abicko.avcrcz. and Mgr. Marina Hužvárová.
This document was one of the key results of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009 and it is the collective work of the Ambassadors of the Year that is, leading European personalities from the fields of culture, science, business, education and design. The Ambassadors handed the Manifesto to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on November 12, 2009 in Brussels. Through seven priorities and seven proclamations of action, the Manifesto is a force for change. and Ing. Gabriela Adámková.