The aim of “United Growing Books of the World” is to raise awareness about the world´s greatest writers and literature as well as to symbolically promote the reading culture. In this respect one piece of literature essential for the respective culture and nation is chosen. Twelve countries (France, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Norway, Finland, Russia, India, Georgia, Ireland) have so far engaged in the project. The Czech Republic has joined as the 13^th member this year.

The essay The Power of the Powerless by Václav Havel was selected in consultation with the Institute of Czech Literature of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. On October 25, 2018, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ljubljana organised in cooperation with the association “Growing Book” the solemn unveiling of the memorial in the Northern Park in Ljubljana. The memorial symbolically represents an open book and have an extract from the essay and a short medallion of Václav Havel engraved on it. The Ambassador of the Czech Republic inaugurated the memorial. In her speech she reminded the centennial anniversary of the Czech statehood and marked the unveiling of the memorial as part of this important anniversary.

The ceremony was attended by the Vice President of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia Mr Matjaž Švagan, who emphasised the role of Václav Havel as a politician and thinker in the international context. The President of the association “Growing Book” and the academician Mr Boštjan Žekš, who reminded the long tradition of the development of cultural relations between the Czech Republic and Slovenia, also took part in the event. The Town Hall of Ljubljana was represented by the Deputy Mayor Mr Aleš Čerin. The Ambassador of the Czech Republic handed over one printed copy of the essay to the Deputy Mayor of Ljubljana as well as to the President of the association “Growing Book”. The printed copies were provided by the Václav Havel Library in Prague and are now deposited in the Town Hall and in the library of the association “Growing Book”, together with other world´s pieces of literature included in the project.

Furthermore, a video clip promoting the essay in an illustrative way and featuring the Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Ljubljana was shot. This video is permanently available on the website of the association “Growing Book” and the visitors may watch it via their mobile phones using the QR code.