100th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Dubček

€10 silver collector coin

Alexander Dubček (1921 – 1992) is one of the most significant figures of modern Slovak history, recognised at home and abroad as a democrat and European. He was leader of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSČ) for almost 16 months from 1968 to 1969. His name is synonymous with the 1968 Prague Spring and the unsuccessful attempt to establish “socialism with a human face” in Czechoslovakia. After his expulsion from the Communist Party, he spent the twenty-year period of normalisation under tight surveillance, before returning to domestic and European politics when the Cold War ended. His value system remained centred on humanity, social justice, patriotism and democracy. A notable milestone in his personal life came in November 1988, when one of the oldest universities in the world – Bologna University in Italy – awarded him an honorary doctorate. This represented a high tribute not only to him, but to the entire reform and democratic movement in Czechoslovakia. In his acceptance speech for the award, Dubček voiced his support for the creation of a “common European home”, which affirmed his stature as a European statesman. He was consistent in promoting a platform of democratic socialism and social justice in a context of pluralistic civic society.