originally published: 09/15/2025
Photo by Marina Chavez
(NEW YORK, NY) -- The Vaclav Havel Center (VHC) in New York will present its most prestigious honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, to legendary singer, activist, and human rights advocate Joan Baez at its annual Gala on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Bohemian National Hall.
This year’s Gala, themed “Truth Prevails,” will celebrate Baez’s remarkable life and leadership, recognizing her lifelong dedication to nonviolence, human rights, and artistic courage. As one of the most influential voices of her generation, Baez’s work has inspired activism across six decades, from her iconic recordings of the 1960s to her tireless advocacy in support of freedom, justice, and dignity for all.
Baez also shared a personal bond with Václav Havel, the dissident playwright who became president of Czechoslovakia. In June 1989, she famously smuggled Havel into her Bratislava concert disguised as her guitar roadie, a moment that foreshadowed the Velvet Revolution later that year.
“Joan Baez is not only a cultural icon but also a dear friend and supporter of Václav Havel. Her life exemplifies the ideals he championed -- truth, courage, and the transformative power of art,” said Bill Shipsey, Chair of the Gala Committee of the Vaclav Havel Center.
Previous Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include author Salman Rushdie (2023) and musician Peter Gabriel (2024).
Evening Program & Highlights
The Gala begins with welcome cocktails at 5:30pm, followed by dinner and awards at 7:00pm Guests will enjoy a special musical performance, an exclusive live auction, and a taste of Czech cuisine.
In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Joan Baez, the evening will feature:
* Disturbing the Peace Award for a writer at risk, accepted on behalf of Maksim Znak, the imprisoned Belarusian author and lawyer.
* Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association (BBLA) Award for Unparalleled Service to the Czech and Slovak Communities, presented to Henry Kallan.
The event takes place at Bohemian National Hall (321 E 73rd Street) in New York City. Tickets are available for purchase online. Dress Code: Festive Attire Encouraged – Black Tie Optional
For more than sixty years, Joan Baez has merged music and activism, using her voice as a rallying force for nonviolence and human rights. From the civil rights and antiwar movements of the 1960s to her advocacy on behalf of political prisoners and marginalized communities worldwide, Baez has remained unwavering in her commitment to justice. Her timeless recordings with Vanguard Records became the soundtrack of an era, and her example continues to inspire new generations.
Host Committee (in formation) Joseph Balaz, Elliot S. Berke, David Dusek, Katya Heller, Stephen B. Heintz and Lise Stone, Charlotta Kotik, Wendy Luers, Martin Palous, Martin Plavec, Hon. Richard Pivnicka & Hon. Barbara Pivnicka, Andrew H. Schapiro and Tamar Newberger, John Shattuck and Ellen Hume, Bill Shipsey, Petr Simunek, Peter Sis, Jack and Patricia Stack, Rose Styron, Salil Tripathi.
Founded in 2012 by Madeleine Albright, Laura Bush, and Dagmar Havlová, the Vaclav Havel Center in New York is dedicated to promoting the ideals of Václav Havel — democratic freedoms, universal human rights, and the transformative power of the arts. Located in Bohemian National Hall, a historic hub of Czech and Slovak culture, the Center carries out its mission through signature programs including the Disturbing the Peace Award, the Rehearsal for Truth theater festival, and the VHC Lecture Series.
This year’s Gala is presented in partnership with the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association, with all proceeds supporting the Vaclav Havel Center’s ongoing programs and initiatives.
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