The aim of the event hosted in former Upper Chamber of the Swedish Riksdag was not only to mark the legacy of the events of 1989, but also to explore the future of democracy 30 years since the fall of the Iron Curtain.

The discussion was divided in two panels. First panel moderated by Hans Wallmark, the chairperson of Foreign and security Committee focused on history, the Fall of Iron Curtain in 1989 and transformation of Central and Eastern Europe. The second panel moderated by Aylin Fazelian, member of foreign Affairs Committee concentrated on legacy of the events of 1989, civil society and the future of democracy.

Andreas Norlen, the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament and Czech Ambassador Jiří Šitler launched the conference with opening speeches.

Tomáš Sedláček, Czech economist and former adviser to President Václav Havel, Ingrid Thörnqvist, senior foreign news editor at Swedish Television, Ana Maria Narti, Swedish-Romainian journalist and politician and Krassen Stanchev, Bulgarian economist and founder and chairman of the Institute for Market Economy were main speakers in the first panel.

Gabriele Baumann, Head of Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Stockholm, Soňa Szomolányi, professor at the Commenius University in Bratislava, Frank Füredi, Hungarian emeritus professor at the University of Kent and Jacek Maria Kurczewski, Polish sociologist and former Deputy Speaker of the Sejm were main speakers in the second panel.

The commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain and the related debate on the ideals of 1989 and the future of democracy in Europe attracted almost 250 guests from the Swedish Parliament, diplomatic staff, academia, media and prominent members of expatriate communities of the respective countries.

The event was one of the most visible reminders of the fall of the Iron Curtain in Stockholm, which included a screening of a series of photographs from the dramatic events of 1989 in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, edited by Czech Centers in Stockholm in cooperation with the cultural institutes of other countries.

Ambassador Jiří Šitler used this opportunity to award Martin Brozek from the International Department of the Swedish Parliament the Silver Medal of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs for his personal contribution to the development of the Czech - Swedish relations.