Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU, along with the Czech Centre in Brussels, organise a lecture about historic Czechoslovak figure, President Edvard Beneš. Beneš was first Czechoslovakian Minister of Foreign Affairs between 1918 and 1935, twice President of the Republic shortly before the outbreak of the WWII and in the aftermath of the war until June 1948. During WWII, Beneš headed the exile government in London. Despite the difficult situation in Europe, Beneš always attempted to protect the interest of small Czechoslovak state. Undoubtedly, his political career that spanned three decades symbolises not only the founding of independent Czechoslovakia, but also the Czechoslovakian tragedy of the 20th century. 

Professor Antoine Marès is the head of department of Contemporary Central European History at Université de Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, a position that he took in 2004. Formerly he was the director of Centre français de recherche en science sociale (CEFRES) in Prague. Professor Marès is an outstanding expert in Slavic studies (Vice-President of l’Institut d´études slaves) and in Czechoslovak as well as Czech foreign policy since the founding of an independent state until today.

The lecture (in French) will take place on 8 June 2011 at 19:00 at the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU (rue Caroly 15, 1050 Bruxelles). Glass of wine will follow the lecture.  

More info:

• Czech Centre Brussels