Following the welcome speech of ambassador Sečka, Graham Henderson, who formally represents the “Friends of Jan Patočka”, delivered his speech and summarised the organisation’s planned activities for the upcoming period. These include a very interesting and ambitious plan to organise four international conferences, where each will adopt a different approach to and perspective of Patočka’s work. As well as this, a book about the life and work of Jan Patočka is planned to be published in the United Kingdom, which is then to be translated and subsequently published abroad. Graham Henderson thanked the Czech Ministry of Culture for its significant financial contribution to the sustainment of the organisation and reminded that roughly a quarter of the expected expenditure- circa £25,000- for the planned projects is still missing. Due to the fact that the reception was partially of a fundraising character, Graham Henderson encouraged the guests, if interested, to kindly contribute, whether financially or by providing relevant contacts, to the further development and future activities of the organisation.

Dr. Erin Plunkett, professor of Philosophy at the University of Hertfordshire and an expert on Patočka’s work, followed up on Graham Henderson’s speech with a short presentation on Patočka, in which she introduced the general principles of his approach to understanding philosophical topics.

The official programme finished with a short concert performed by the professional pianist William Howard, who played a selection of compositions by Czech authors on a C. Bechstein piano. This particular piano was made before the First World War and is the interior pride of the ambassador’s residence in London.

The event was concluded by a banquet hosted by ambassador Sečka.