Europe has, throughout the centuries, produced politicians that will remain forever etched in the annals of our history. Many were those who, with their strength of character and political foresight, left profound marks on society, shaping the Europe we recognise today.
(Vaclav) Havel’s vision for Europe was one that was constantly evolving- David Casa
After the end of World War II and the drawing of the Iron Curtain that isolated Eastern Europe from the free world, a new breed of politicians was born. Those who, at great risk for their lives, chose to stand up and be counted. These were the politicians who fought for the freedom from suppression of their countries at all costs.
One of the most prominent of these is undoubtedly Vaclav Havel, the former head of state of the Czech Republic who was one of the first and few political dissidents in a country with little appetite for criticism.
A few years ago, I had the honour to listen to a speech by Mr Havel at the European Parliament on the 20th anniversary of the fall of communism or, as the event was titled, the 20th anniversary of political change in Europe.
In a few words, Mr Havel succeeded in defining Europe far more precisely than the many volumes that have been written on the subject.
“Europe is the homeland of our homelands,” he declared. This statement struck me then for its accuracy in pinpointing exactly why European countries stand by each other. And it is even more relevant in the turmoil of today. In itself, it is a statement that explains all the solidarity that European countries show to each other.
“Our identity,” Mr Havel said, “is created not only by what is unique to us individuals but also by certain so-called shared layers of identity.” In his words we find described the true building blocks of our union of nations. We are not just a loose gathering of countries doing business with each other. We have a shared identity and shared values that come from having shared a long history of interaction.
Those who did not experience life in a totalitarian country, such as Mr Havel’s Czechoslovakia, will never really be able to grasp the reality of being denied freedom of expression, freedom of movement and freedom from fear. Mr Havel first showed his dissent through literary and theatrical works such as The Garden Party and Memorandum in which he used satire to highlight the absurd bureaucracy and the breakdown of human relationships that the communist system brought with it.
Later, as a politician and a leading figure of the Civic Forum, which sparked huge demonstrations in Prague in 1989, he had an important role in the Velvet Revolution that opened the doors to a peaceful transition to democracy in Czechoslovakia.
What makes people like Mr Havel exemplary human beings, however, is the lack of resentment they show towards those who had suppressed them for so long. With the goal achieved, there was only one way to look and that was forward. This attitude was fundamental for both the Czechs and the Slovaks in order to move forward and eventually become members of the European Union.
Mr Havel’s vision for Europe was one that was constantly evolving. In evolving we grow strong. In evolving together we grow even stronger.
Mr Havel called for European leaders to shift away from the cult of short-run economic growth at all costs and to be more considerate towards the environment and the interests of future generations.
In the contemporary world, every minute is a battle for the survival of the fittest. We call it competitiveness or innovation but, fundamentally, we still strive for relative gains over our competitors rather than absolute gain for all.
In Europe we have done much to transcend this human instinct but globally the battle remains one largely devoid of solidarity.
Europe as an institutional framework may appear from outside like a technocratic body dealing solely with economics and monetary affairs but its underpinnings are rather less material. They are value-based, spiritual, almost. It would be a great mistake to forget our roots.
Born a dissident, Mr Havel remained a dissident until he died. He never shied of showing his true feelings and of speaking his mind.
His death at the age of 75 means that Europe and indeed the world have lost a great politician, thinker and writer but, first and foremost, a formidable and exemplary human being.
Mr Casa is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.