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Jan Urban (born 27 March 1951) is a Czech journalist, lecturer and former politician. He is known for leading the Civic Forum movement to victory in the 1990 Czechoslovak parliamentary election, the first free elections in Czechoslovakia in 44 years.[1]
Jan Urban | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 27 March 1951 |
| Nationality | Czech |
| Education | Charles University |
| Occupations |
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| Political party | Civic Forum (1989–1990) |
Life and career
editUrban was born on 27 March 1951 in Hradec Králové, Czechoslovakia. He graduated from Charles University in 1974 with a degree in philosophy and history. He worked as a high school teacher until being removed due to refusing to sign a collective statement condemning Charter 77. He subsequently worked as a horse trainer and bricklayer, as well as a journalist with Radio Free Europe, and founded the underground East European Information Agency.[2]
Urban participated in the 17 November 1989 demonstrations that began the Velvet Revolution, and subsequently helped start the students' and theater workers' strikes.[2] He was a cofounder of Civic Forum, a movement which sought to overthrow the ruling Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, and worked closely with future president Václav Havel.[1][3] Urban led Civic Forum in the 1990 Czechoslovak parliamentary election, which Civic Forum won with a large margin.[2][4] He declined to become prime minister and resigned from politics the same year.[1][5]
Afterwards, Urban continued to work as a journalist and lecturer.[2][1][5] He is the author of three books and a play, and also shot a documentary.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Green, Peter S. (13 June 1990). "Czechoslovak Civic Forum leader retires". UPI. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Jan Urban (1951)". Memory of Nations. Post Bellum. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ "Jan Urban: Only Havel could have unified opposition in 1989". Czech Radio. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ ""What was crucial was the hidden conflict with Havel" – Civic Forum's Jan Urban on 30th anniversary of 1990 elections". Czech Radio. 8 June 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Modern Dissent in Prague". NYU. Retrieved 22 July 2024.