Dear students and dear colleagues,

Unfortunately, instead of the traditional wishes for the upcoming holidays, which symbolize the birth of life and hope, we listen to the news of death and feel pain over the senseless loss of human lives. It is a tragedy and many of our colleagues, including myself, are especially affected by it because the building where the shooting happened was the place of their studies and positive memories.

I want to assure you that we are thinking of your safety and at the same time that we will not allow fear to take over and destroy the values that university represents – openness and academic freedom. 

As the holidays approach, I ask you to take a moment to remember all those affected by this tragedy, especially the victims and their loved ones. And let us enter the New Year with hope and love in our hearts.

Vlaďka Dvořáková