A salutation of the Charles University Rector, Professor Tomáš Zima, at
                         the opening of Hus Days on the Old Town Square on July 5, 2015, at 6 PM.











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            * A salutation of the Charles University Rector, Professor Tomáš Zima, at the opening of H
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            Dear friends,

            Let me greet you all on behalf of the Charles University and its academia. At the commemor
            tragic death of Master Jan Hus, burned at the stake in Constance 600 years ago, the Prague
            be missing for several reasons.

            First, Master Jan Hus spent all his active life at this university. In addition to his stu
            taught here from 1397 till 1412 before he had to leave Prague, having lost the King’s trus
            interdict.

            Second, he was the dean of the Faculty of Arts in 1401/1402, and the rector of the whole u
            1409/1410, and therefore the academic dignitary responsible not only for the administratio

            affairs but also for the public image of the school.
            And third, he struggled to implement the theoretical findings, gained through the years of
            disputations, in real life from the pulpit in the Bethlehem Chapel, and thus he demonstrat

            of the university education for the society.
            He was neither a stirrer nor a revolutionary, yet he wanted to stand up for the truth he h
            until his death. And thus he became a shining example for further generations of students 

            our university, often also struggling in difficult conditions, yet never betraying their b
            that took their lives.
            I do believe that even the modern university can use a lot of Hus’s legacy, as it should –

            up for moral values and values that support the free and developing life. This is the time
            Master Jan Hus. Certainly, it’s not that easy to get it simply from reading his works; the
            600 years ago, and people thought in a different way in those days, as the image of humani

            was different.
            Still, it’s possible to approach Hus’s legacy quite accurately, and highlight its most imp
            This is facilitated by Hus-related studies at several faculties of the university, from ma

            points of view, defined by current issues.
            Let’s therefore commemorate Hus’s death with dignity, and let’s think what his message tel
            graduated one of his students, he told him: “In truth, you need three things – knowledge, 

            life. Knowledge will protect you from the evil so you can use your reason to find the good
            you can help the inferior and teach them whatever you can. And life will enable you to shi
            others, being the perfect one. Keep on learning, then, so you can stay knowing, teaching a

            the author knew how to live by this code. Let’s do the same, to become his true heirs! DIX