Grit in the engine

April 3rd, 2012

Robert McCrum considers Index’s role in the history of the fight for free speech, from the oppression of the Cold War to censorship online

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Václav Havel dies: How Samuel Beckett and Havel changed history

December 18th, 2011

Václav Havel, dissident, playwright, first president of the Czech Republic, and author of Charter 77 died today.

Samuel Beckett wrote a play for Havel when he was in jail. On being freed, Havel returned the favour.

It was the making of a great dramatic double-act. In 2009, Index on Censorship editor Jo Glanville reflected on the relationship between the two
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