The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, visited the CU Philosophical Faculty on the 12th of September, 1998, as part of his free programme during the Prague meeting of premiers from the CEFTA countries. Among those who accompanied him on his visit to the faculty was Jozsef Torgyan, the Minister of Agriculture, Attila Chikan, the Minister of Industry, and Zoltan Vezer, the Hungarian ambassador in the Czech Republic. The meeting took place in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. In his speech the Hungarian Prime Minister said that his visit was an expression of the Hungarian government's gratitude for the work of specialists in Hungarian studies. The Vice-Dean of the CU Philosophical Faculty, doc. Sona Hermochova, who welcomed the guests, stressed that such meetings were highly encouraging and motivating, not just for the so-called "small subjects" but for the whole academic community.
Viktor Orban (center), shortly before entering the Carolinum, his wife Aniko Orban, Lecturer in Hungarian Studies Dr. Vilma Eory and Dr. Evzen Gal
On the 7th of October, 1998, the important Indian politician, Dr. Karan Singh, who was in Prague as a guest at the Forum 2000 meeting of leading international thinkers, visited the Indological Institute of the CU Philosophical Faculty for discussion with teachers and students of Indology. He answered dozens of questions on the theme of the present political, social and religious situation in India. Dr. Singh is a very interesting person, who was born as the yuvaradj, i.e. the heir to the throne (in Kashmir). His life is an exceptional example of how a representative of the "old days" can become an important force in a new democratic state.
He is the author of almost twenty books in the field of politics and philosophy, and has written a number of travelogues, poetry collections and an autobiography. He is likewise much involved in environmental issues. His many years as Chancellor of the Dzhammu University in Kashmir and Benares has linked him with numerous universities throughout the world (including Charles University).
Prof. J. Vacek (center) and Doc. J. Marek welcoming Dr. K. Singh (left) to the Small Hall of the Carolinum in the name of the CU Philosophical Faculty's Institute of Indology
Artist Olbram Zoubek, as is well known, has collaborated with Charles University for many years. It will probably be enough to recall his bust of Jan Palach on the facade of the Philosophy Faculty, his design for the Palach Commemorative Medal that is awarded by the CU Philsophical Faculty, or his sculpture of Ctirad and Sarka - a generous gift in honour of the 650th anniversary of the university (Olbram Zoubek is also a member of the honorary committee for the university jubilee). His most recent gift to CU is to be found not far from its birthplace. From the windows of the Anatomy Institute (CU 1st Medical Faculty), you can see into the yard in front of the sculptor's studio in Salmovska Street, where Olbram Zoubek has made the vertical sculpture Thysia - whose very name, and gesture of the hand, underlines the urgency of the idea of sacrifice. From the 2nd of November 1998, the day of remembrance of the dead, Thysia will adorn the staircase of a CU medical center (The Anatomical Institute at U nemocnice 3, Prague 2), to remind every passerby of those who gave their bodies to the medical faculty for the anatomical education of medical students. On the commemorative tabled is the inscription "To those who gave their bodies for the education of medical students in anatomy."
The sculptor Olbram Zoubek at the unveiling of his sculpture and commemorative tablet
