Commemoration Space
A “Commemoration Space” has been created on the 4th floor of the main building of the Faculty of Arts. This memorial space offers a calm environment for all who wish to honour the memory of those who lost their lives in the tragic events of December. It is open every working day from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The Commemoration Space (Quiet Space) was opened on Friday, 24 May 2024, with a ceremony for those gathering in remembrance.
Anthology
The book Antologie 21/12/23 Anthology containing texts by the members of the academia at CU FA was published on the anniversary of the tragedy. The anthology is dedicated to the cherished memory of the fourteen victims, and it hopes to console the twenty-five wounded and all others affected. The book is freely available on the website of the Faculty of Arts Press.
The anthology aims to serve three purposes. Firstly, it is an opportunity for therapeutic expression for all survivors, affected, and bereaved. Secondly, the book is a collection of texts spontaneously created in the aftermath of the tragedy, preserving the occasional writings and providing them with a context for dialogue. Last but not least, the anthology is a memorial for those who can no longer express themselves, presented through the memories of their loved ones, friends, and colleagues.
Given the diverse nature of the texts, the anthology is divided into three sections. Reportages informative texts by in/direct participants of the tragedy, who were present at the main building of CU FA or in its proximity on the given day. Reflections, literary texts contributed by people affected in various ways by the event, and finally, Reminiscences, a section dedicated directly to the victims, containing both their own creative works and memorial texts written by bereaved family members. This structure aims to assist readers in navigating the anthology more easily and reducing the risk of re-traumatisation when reading.
The texts within each section are arranged chronologically, by the date of their creation. The anthology is bilingual, presented in Czech and English (with the language of the original coming first). Unless stated otherwise, all translations in this anthology are the work of Dr David Vichnar from the Department of Anglophone Literatures and Cultures at CU FA. The authors of the contributions are identified solely by their initials and age – for those who may be interested, a key to their identities is available at the end of the anthology.
Embracing the Faculty
Illustration: Berenika Čejková
Two weeks after the tragic event (4 January 2024), students of the Faculty organised a memorial procession to honour the victims and express a shared determination to overcome grief through community and solidarity. After opening remarks by the Rector of Charles University, Milena Králíčková, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Eva Lehečková, on Ovocný trh in front of the Karolinum building, a silent procession moved along Celetná Street to the main Faculty building, which participants encircled by forming a human chain. The commemoration concluded with the lighting of a memorial fire on Jan Palach Square.
A Month for the Faculty
In January 2024, Jan Palach Square became the site of the initiative A Month for the Faculty. For four weeks, it served as a space for the gradual renewal of the Faculty community and for expressions of respect and remembrance.
During this period, the square hosted the “Carrying the Light” procession, the “Opening of the Faculty” event and a series of short lectures and mini-courses for students as well as academic and non-academic staff of the Faculty of Arts — including a visit from President Petr Pavel. In the community mobile rooms, he engaged in discussions with students on a range of topics, particularly those related to rebuilding the university community. He also took part in creating a collective sculpture entitled Shared Landscape, made by melting down hundreds of candles that had been brought from the memorial sites in front of the main building of Charles University on Ovocný trh and the main building of the Faculty of Arts itself.
