<Havlíčkobrodské muzeum> is preparing a celebration for the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the statue of Havlíček.

Havlíčkův Brod - The Museum of Vysočina in Havlíčkův Brod is preparing a celebration for the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the monument to Karel Havlíček Borovský. The event will take place on Saturday at 3:00 PM in Budoucnost Park. The program aims to commemorate the personalities who contributed to the erection of the statue of the Czech journalist and publicist, including the statue's author, Bohumil Kafka. This was reported to ČTK by the museum director, Alena Jindrová.

"It's not just about the monument; it's also about the personality of Karel Havlíček and how the city advocated for it and fought for it even during the time of Austria-Hungary, to have this monument, which was eventually erected. It was actually the first major realization by Bohumil Kafka," said Jindrová.

The life-sized statue of Havlíček on a pedestal designed by architect Josef Gočár was unveiled in the park on the slope above the Hastrman pond on September 14, 1924. Gočár was also the author of the design for the entire area around the monument. However, only the pedestal was built, which was destroyed during World War II. It was later replaced by a smaller pedestal.

The unveiling of Havlíček's monument 100 years ago was attended by thousands of people. "The entire city was filled, and it was decorated with triumphal arches. It started in the square and then proceeded to the monument. Government representatives, journalists, and other notable figures from all over Czechoslovakia were present, including sculptor Kafka with his wife Berta," Jindrová added.

Havlíček's statue remained in the same location — except during World War II when it was hidden — for a full 100 years. Its construction was financed by the city with contributions from a public collection.

Saturday's program will begin with a short reenactment of the events leading up to the unveiling of the monument. It will commemorate not only the sculptor Kafka but also the painter from Havlíčkův Brod, Otakar Štáfl, who approached Kafka for the monument's design. It will also highlight that a different location for the monument was originally considered. It was meant to replace the Baroque Marian column in the city center. Sculptor Bohumil Kafka (1878 - 1942) is best known for his equestrian statue of Jan Žižka in Prague's Vítkov.

Karel Havlíček Borovský was born in 1821 in the village of Borová near Přibyslav (now Havlíčkova Borová), after which he later began to sign his name. He came from a wealthy merchant family. He studied at the gymnasium in Německý Brod (now Havlíčkův Brod) and then philosophy in Prague. He died on July 29, 1856, of tuberculosis in Prague. His funeral became an anti-Austrian demonstration.