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On the occasion of the anniversary of the events of November 17, 1989, the Forum of November 17 was held on November 14 at the premises of the Study and Research Library of the Pilsen Region. The forum provided a platform for profound reflection on the values of democracy, freedom, and civic responsibility, as well as a discussion between experts, including eyewitnesses, and today's students.

The forum was opened by Miroslav Lávička, Rector of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, who emphasized in his opening remarks the importance of continuous dialogue about the values of freedom and democracy, which form the foundation of modern society. "In 1989, we gained not only freedom but also the responsibility to protect and develop it," the Rector stated.

The evening's keynote speakers were Ladislav Cabada, a political scientist, and Stanislav Balík, the current Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen and a former judge of the Constitutional Court. Ladislav Cabada focused on the transformation of Czech society after 1989 and its current challenges in his presentation. Stanislav Balík addressed the rule of law, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles in everyday life. Both speakers, joined by the Rector, also shared their personal memories of experiencing the Velvet Revolution.

During the subsequent discussion, which included audience participation, questions about the legacy of the Velvet Revolution, the current state of democracy in the Czech Republic, and the responsibility of the younger generation to uphold it resonated strongly. The Forum of November 17 offered not only expert contributions but also an opportunity for an open exchange of ideas between the speakers and the audience. The event highlighted that reflecting on the past remains essential for understanding the present and shaping the future direction of society.

Stanislav Balík concluded this evening of remembrance and discussion with the following words: "We have achieved a goal that many of us have longed for. I can personally say that I have lived an equal amount of time under totalitarianism on the one hand and freedom on the other. The length of my life spent in democracy and the rule of law is increasing for me, and I do not wish any form of totalitarianism to return. I would like to still have enough strength to remind us how we should value what we have achieved since November 17, 1989. What may seem to the younger generation today to have been taken for granted since time immemorial is, for many thoughtful members of the older generation, an extremely important achievement that we should protect forever, so that we do not lose very fragile but lasting values."