The Havel Albright Transatlantic Dialogues: Thinking Truth and Freedom with Havel and Zelensky

In the spotlight lecture, Timothy Snyder delivered a captivating meditation on the nature of freedom. In it he tied Havel’s idea of “living in truth” and the tradition of dissent from the 1970s and 1980s to the present war in Ukraine and Volodymir Zelenskyi’s courageous stance in the face of Russian aggression.

[@sherrillwhately7586]

I could listen to Snyder all day.

[@VSP4591]

Fairy Tales for children. Germany is guilty suspect. Nobody else.

[@KuroNekoExMachina]

@@VSP4591 Great stuff. Contact Hallmark.

[@VSP4591]

@@KuroNekoExMachina Not so much. Fairy Tales.

[@SueLyons1]

Me too. Brilliant; ethical; warm

[@SueLyons1]

'Freedom is something you do together and so is truth' ♥

[@kazkaskazkas8689]

It's a fantastic speech! And the Q&A! This has to be seen by a wider audience‼️

[@theminer49erz]

There is no shortage of his material for people to watch, listen to, or read, but it should be more well known. He has been one of my favorite people for over a decade. Very thankful for him exsisting.

[@marshuswp3325]

Amen! Slava Ukraini!

[@polinanikulina]

That hit me like a tonne of bricks, the idea that the essence of freedom comes from security in childhood as well as from security in the basic needs and safety sense. It's not that the two are different, it's that unmet emotional needs don't leave obvious physical marks and scars like physical deprivation or active bodily harm. However, both continue to affect the person's freedom and their thinking, which definitely makes sense in psychology terms.

[@Mikathedog100]

That's why, out of all the psychology, politics and sociology I've studied, I always come back to Maslow's hierarchy.

[@zipperpillow]

Immensely informative, precisely analyzed, articulately explained.....Masterful presentation and profoundly insightful....so worth the time! And a great shirt! Do yourself a favor......Listen an hour and learn a lot.

[@jonaszejfart6126]

Timothy Snyder má mnoho cenných postřehů. Vřele doporučuji všechny jeho přednášky!

[@HotPinkst17]

Translation from Czech: Timothy Snyder has many valuable insights. I highly recommend all of his lectures!

[@insomniacresurrected1000]

@@HotPinkst17 Translation: He is full of shit.

[@marshuswp3325]

Thank you Timothy Snyder for this deep historical/political/psychological/philosophical talk in these crazy times!

[@noej2591]

And linguistic, too. A lot of these concepts permeate in his current Yale course on history of Ukraine available on YT. Such a pleasure to listen to him

[@gb4375]

I had a profound moment of personal enlightenment ‘existence precedes essence’….

[@rosalindriley5893]

Thank you for this fascinating and meaningful lecture. I want to link what you said at the end, about identifying with people, to the theatre practice of both Havel and Zelensky. You cannot be a theatre writer or performer without developing the capacity to understand people. Comedy, drama, tragedy, opera, musical - the essence of working as a performer or writer for drama or comedy, and I would say especially in live shows (and Zelensky did a lot of these) is being able to put yourself in another's shoes. This means in the shoes of humanity in all its flaws and virtues, all its weakness and complexity. There is no doubt in my mind that the greatness of Havel and Zelensky is partly due to this, which is a practice, a discipline, a development of instinct, a commitment to listening, a commitment to the conveying of meaning. It's not just a talent, it's continuous work. I would also like to point out that running a theatre or tv production company involves the following: creativity, fundraising, negotiation, contract work, logistics, team building, logistics, supporting people, logistics, persuasion, clarity, logistics, multitasking, vision, listening, logistics, marketing, teamwork (not the same as team building), logistics, communication, vigour of mind, and total drive and dedication. A good sense of humour helps... I think these are all useful skills for a president, especially one at war. Havel and Zelensky came from the theatre *business*, not just the theatre. But the study of the human condition is the essence of the creative side of theatre, and it drives empathy. Fascists study human weakness in order to dominate and destroy, but people whose essence is love and kindness, as you describe so beautifully, can nurture and give security in a plurality. (Also, Trump was never an actor. This is a real error of categorisation. He performs - he is performative.) Your lecture has been incredibly valuable for me, and made me think a lot. Thank you.

[@rosalindriley5893]

OK I'm replying to myself but just keep thinking about it. I remember that in his speeches, Zelensky often thanks the parents of the members of the armed forces, and what you say here about how he feels his essence comes from his parents aligns exactly with this. I don't know if this is a tradition in Slavic nations or something - I don't remember hearing other world leaders thanking soldiers' parents for producing them! Also - I loved what you said about the difference between reading lit crit and then finding the literature itself, and having the close encounter with the actual creative mind that produced it. With work that is written to be performed, there is an even better way to get close to it than reading it. Being an audience member and just hearing it - or performing it yourself.

[@elaserdak3734]

Zelensky doesn’t thanks parents for “producing children” but for giving or rather offering their children’s lives for Ukraine. You probably mean the same but… You ask if this is something specific to Slavic countries?! In some sense- yes. In countries oppressed by communist Russia we learned “official truth” at school and media etc, but we also learned “real truth” at home - from parents and grandparents (also in some countries- from churches). This kind of thing might not be the case in - for example USA, where there is freedom. So Zelenskyy understand that very well- parents raised children who will go to fight against Russia (no state, not officials who were communists). So you need to thank them for that Ukrainian patriotism. Also… maybe even more important… when parents/grandparents raise children they want their family name go forward into the future, you want them (children) to live better and more prosperous lives than them, they hope that children will take care of them (when you old and frail), their children (your grandchildren) will give you joy and hope etc . So at the end parents lose the most during war - when they offer their children’s life for the country- they loose everything!

[@rosalindriley5893]

@@elaserdak3734 Yes, yes this is exactly what I meant - not just "producing children" but creating the people that they become. Thank you for your explanation - an ongoing, heartbreaking reality.

[@radical_truffle]

Great exchange. Thank you Rosalind and Ela.

[@theminer49erz]

Once again another fantastic talk! It is unfortunate that the Volume levels are incredibly low. I can not hear it on my phone with any background noise, and when I was in my car with it plugged into the stereo via headphone/aux, turned it all thw way, with just the front speakers and I could not hear it with the window cracked. I do have impaired hearing, but when I got text, the ping tone literally hurt my ears, so it wasn't the Volume of the phone. Not being nit picky, just wanted to let you know. I had to put headphones on to hear it. Worth it though! Love this guy! Thank you Professor Snyder for everything you do!! It's very appreciated! Be safe!

[@Manana131]

It was unbelievable speech. Should be mandatory listening or reading for everybody, especially those who studies history and politics and beyond. Thank you, thank you, thank you ❤❤

[@elizabethkorobko1199]

Тимоіфій Снайдеренко ❤

[@radical_truffle]

Excellent. I love the important discussions we are having on these platforms arising unfortunately from the dreadful war in Ukraine.

[@juligrlee556]

This description of literature is exactly like the teaching of history. When I was in High School, I couldn't stand the text books. But I spent much of my time in the city library every day when I was turned loose to read books about the past, the future, the present in topics like trains, wars, the stars. I sincerely believe that schools must be closed and great lecturers like Timothy Snyder come to libraries to give lectures while students would have guides to direct student to books of interest for the student. No books would be off limits to any student. In college I spent every moment in the college library listening to classical music, reading books of interest and trying to learn languages. I learned that I had to focus and not try to multitask. I get a great survey work and learning from Timothy Snyder and I would like nothing more than to read, read Timothy Snyder and tons more books. Today every wall that is available is packed with books as is a desk that is stacked many feet high with books I've just read.

[@kazkaskazkas8689]

The very last bit of the Q&A is a must-see/hear for many - in the West, in Russia, and in Ukraine!

[@WebVideoTours]

Couple of great thoughts here. I was not familiar with Havel's or Zelensky's theories, but this lecture made me interested in knowing more. I like the thought that liberty and security are not in opposition, but foundational to each other. Also appreciated the last Q&A item, about understanding the perp and the problems with the implicit notion of innocence.

[@insomniacresurrected1000]

Havel was an alcoholic and Zelensky likes cocaine. 😂

[@jima1135]

Děkujeme! This was a great lecture

[@blase777]

Timothy Snyder posiada rozum i godność człowieka

[@nawgra8455]

Zgadzam się. Jest wspaniałym i mądrym człowiekiem.

[@careyrowland]

Be here now with Vaclav and Volodymir and Timothy. Essence precedes Existence. Freedom overcomes Conformity.

[@RobertSmith-fj4qc]

Loved the 'by the way' critique of the post-modern take over of English Lit. I like the real thing as well.

[@danew1666]

It's a fantastic speech!

[@juligrlee556]

I wish I could remember much more of this presentation than one hearing of it. Time for me to read more Timothy Snyder books

[@0532phillipjoy]

So relevant to the larger forces like illness and gender conformity which I struggle to be free from, and how true it is that we do this in a community of kindness and respect. ♡♡♡

[@ElKaramel]

Mnohokrát děkujeme pane Snydere

[@viktoriiatemchenko5478]

Thank you Professor Snyder. For the ability to convey the most important even to those people who are not interested in history or philosophy.

[@marekbozik4153]

One of the best historian writer on planet - expert on WW2, eastern Europe wars, genocide, dictators.

[@eliseleonard3477]

A beautiful and inspiring talk with a Frank Zappa citation 😮😘

[@jonasvaitiekunas2713]

Could you be so kind and pin-point the exact name/title?

[@oskarfabian5200]

he just gave a great lectures at Yale about Ukrainian history

[@user-xm2km3ft6i]

Nice shirt)

[@dorigeorge9298]

Slava Ukraine! We MUST give them ALL so they can win!

[@fgcbrooklyn]

Impossible to hear, the volume is so low that even with headphones and volume cranked up to 11 it sounds like a whisper. Can you re-post after raising the volume in post production? Thank you.

[@kazkaskazkas8689]

I can hear it just fine: on PC, on the phone speaker, or headphones. Check your equipment.

[@adams1084]

Americans in touch with their liberty weren't at all surprised that Zelensky stayed; we were surprised when Ghani fled Afghanistan. I have great respect for Dr. Snyder and his work, but his assessment of our view on essence v. existence says more about the company he keeps (and the state of global leadership) than of the American people. Those who live in the real world and must struggle for their accomplishments respect Zelensky because his gesture of devotion is a larger example of every normal person's fidelity to their loved ones and way of life. We all noticed the surprise of the sophists, and our only comfort in these trying times is that these many petty tyrants lack the resolve to prevail without the dignified sacrifice of greater men and women

[@log85on71]

Awesome

[@theminer49erz]

"LOVE IS NOT, WEAKNESS!!!" -Downset

[@SueLyons1]

♥ 'living in truth' ♥

[@mikeroberts4873]

What it really means to you or you or you .......as a human being. It don't get much better than this.

[@tedkrasicki3857]

tak to jest

[@bogdanbaudis4099]

What really hit me here, was the observation that "there is no/ seems not to be definition what it means to be Russian". This is actually one way or another mentioned in so many Russian literary works, if not in explicit then in implicit way! I am in no way to belittle difficulties inherently present in so deceptively simple question: "who are you"? .. but it seems that Russian inability to even ask this question is a large part of the problem we have now ...

[@marksitalo3138]

good

[@gladyse.villarroel]

I agree!

[@whazzat8015]

See, he does have nice shirts. What is the date of the lecture? He is so bad at telling jokes, that it makes him even funnier . Sweet. "Fear is the lock, and laughter the key to your heart." Havel and Britney Spears on the same stage.

[@KuroNekoExMachina]

His hawaiian tees are amazing xD

[@wampirqo]

well, thumbs up for swag! 😉

[@kickywicky4616]

Innocence by association

[@i.s.]

Йому так личить вишиванка!

[@nicolaebulgaru]

these are issues more deep than politics or even current war in ukraine. truth and freedom are so less understood ... and so much misunderstood...

[@davidbreed6708]

I think essence precedes existence does not capture the Zelenskii moment, rather the conceptual framework of existentialism -- existence occurs at each moment of decision. The essence notion is a substantialist mode of thought, criticized both by Hegel and Whitehead as a fallacy of misplaced concreteness wherein the abstract essence lacks any actual content. I think your (Dr. Snyder) assumption of a metaphysics grounded in Aristotle, Aquinas and Kant is not adequate to describe the empirics of the historic moment. Rather, the existentialists grounded in Kierkegaard and particularly those writing in the interim between the Wars and those like Bonhoeffer writing from Nazi prison more faithfully capture this existential moment in history.

[@potter275]

I would add yours, which helps, to Snyder/Havel's, not replace it.

[@elizabethmcgauleysarfaty6154]

Why is the sound fine for some and utterly indicernible for others - too often me!!! This seems cruel. Shall I hold 'youtube' accountable? Pity! Love/peace, Elizabeth

[@bogdanbaudis4099]

Oprichnina begat Ochrana, which begat SMERSH, which begat NKVD. which begat KGB, which begat FSB .. maybe this is the definition of Russia ... This could be the long normalization, maybe?

[@jasonsmith1155]

"The horizon of truth is blocked by daffodils of imperialism... because Hitler." If war was fast-food he would be dressed like Ronald McDonald.

[@tarickw]

yeah sure but the french speaking belgians really are french (jokes the dutch person)

[@benjaminwalter709]

Not everyone who is still in Ukraine "chooses" to stay like Zelensky. Some are forced to stay due to laws Zelensky enforced. Not allowing some of your citizens to leave and save their lives has nothing to do with freedom.

[@kittykatzcenteno7160]

THE SOUND IS AWFUL!

[@kazkaskazkas8689]

It's fine for me

[@RobertSmith-fj4qc]

@@kazkaskazkas8689 Not a big problem, actually not a problem at all. I had to wind the volume up for Prof Snyder then down for the questions which came in then too loud

[@insomniacresurrected1000]

Zelensky did not stay in Kiev, that was a propaganda picture. He did most of his videos in front of a green screen.

[@KuroNekoExMachina]

Cool story, heres your 8 rubles.

[@insomniacresurrected1000]

@@KuroNekoExMachina I don't live in Russia so pay me in CZK or GBP, that's what I make my money in son. I have experience with video editing and can spot cheap fakery that Zelensky was running...

[@16252]

Russian propaganda appeals to stupidity, which is an endless resource.

[@viewer7200]

25:00 Zelensky did not flee, NOT because his extraordinary bravery, the truth is much less glamorous. Zelensky's advisors and "friends" have deep connections in kremlin and because of his apolitical personality, he would have been very useful to Putin if Russians would've invaded Kyiv. Basically, his pro-kremlin entourage insured his personal safety in the event of Russian victory OR a "heroic" image in the event of Russian failure : Win-win situation Sorry Prof. Snyder, this little apolitical, anational Soviet Jew, and a latent Russian sympathizer is a certified coward.

[@enric-x]

Well, Zelensky did NOT flee; all you have is unsupported speculation🤨

[@viewer7200]

@@enric-x Actually, my "speculations" ARE supported by these cold hard facts: head of presidential admin - Andrii Yermak who's father allegedly worked for KGB in Afghanistan in the 80's; had business associates in Russia in the 90's: Rahmon Emanuylov - protege of Yevgeny Primakov a top brass of KGB/FSB in the 90's, from inner circle in Kremlin, promoting other FSB top players Stepashin and Putin to succeed Eltsin in 1999-2000. Emanuilov is also a compatriot from Azerbaijan of Ilgam Ragimov (on of the wealthiest man in Russia) a former classmate of Vlad Putin himself. If these connections seem convoluted and farfetched, that is because they are. Post Soviet, Communist Party, KGB, and financial shady successes are all part of an intricate web of personal connections with obscene monetary assets at stake... I am already exhausted writing down from different sources all of this.

[@potter275]

@@enric-x Far worse than mere speculation, a nefarious conspiracy seed that reeks hate and resentment.

[@16252]

Weirdly, people just make up stuff and post it on the internet. The point that teams of Russians tried to kill Zelensky in February and March last year is not exactly a secret.