November 17 reminds us of the courage of students and citizens who stood up for human dignity, freedom of expression, and democratic values during the Gentle/Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia in 1989, and of the students who had protested against fascism and the closing of universities in Prague in 1939.

Civic courage was the key force that opened the space for change: from the Candle Demonstration in Bratislava a year earlier, to the student gathering on the eve of November 17, 1989, where students called for freedom of speech, educational reform, democracy, and the release of political prisoners. These events culminated in the historic moment of November 17, 1989 — a turning point toward freedom and democracy.

These acts of civic courage laid the cornerstones and moral foundations of the society we live in today. They remind us that freedom is not self-sustaining; it requires care, reflection, and responsibility from each generation.

To honor this day and the values it represents, especially the role of students and the importance of academic freedom, CELSI will observe a holiday on November 17, and the office will be closed.

This will be a time to reflect on why education, science, and critical inquiry matter, and how academic freedom and democracy enable us to carry out our mission with integrity and purpose.

Our mission as a research institute is closely connected to these values: creating valuable knowledge and supporting informed public debate, strengthening evidence-based policymaking, nurturing and empowering talent, and contributing to a more just and inclusive society.

Marta Kahancová & Martin Kahanec

Founders and Directors, Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI)