Václav - Prince, Saint, Hero

A legendary figure of Czech historical memory and its transformations

Special St. Václav Day lecture

Lecturer: Hana Komárková (Silesian University in Opava)

On 28 September, we traditionally commemorate the anniversary of the murder of the Přemyslid prince, patron of the Czech lands, Saint Václav. In 2000, this date was added to the list of state holidays as "Czech Statehood Day". But who was Václav really? Can we believe that he walked barefoot and cared for widows and orphans? Was he a peaceful ruler who followed Christian commandments, or was his brother Boleslav merely a tool in the hands of ambitious nobles? And why did Václav become the patron of our country?

The figure of the prince and the era in which he lived are surrounded by questions that each subsequent historical epoch answered in its own way. This lecture examines how Václav was perceived over eleven centuries and whether we can learn anything more about him beyond what the well-known passages from medieval chronicles and legends tell us.

Expected duration: 60 minutes.

Tickets can be purchased at www.goout.net, at the reception of the Municipal House, or on site.