Two letters that moved a nation: OF for Občanské Fórum became in 1989 the symbol of the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia. Behind the legendary logo stands the then young artist Pavel Šťastný, whose design expressed courage, solidarity, and the awakening of a society. Today it recalls freedom, culture, and the power of civil society.
It is a story that changed Czechoslovakia at the time – and one that is barely familiar to many young people today. In an era when two letters can mean anything, “OF” seems almost provocative. No, it is not about the modern influencer platform known today, but about the legendary logo of the Velvet Revolution: OF for “Občanské Fórum” – the Civic Forum. When it first appeared on the streets in November 1989, it became a symbol of courage, unity, and the energy of a society ready to make history.
The iconic logo was created by the then very young artist Pavel Šťastný – a student and graphic designer who, within a single day, presented a design that later became known as the first Czech smiley. The simple line forming the logo represented the optimistic expression of a country on the rise.
Havel, students, and the moment a nation called for freedom
The Velvet Revolution did not begin in offices, but on the streets of Prague. On 17 November 1989, students gathered to mark the 50th anniversary of the closure of Czech universities by the Nazis. The peaceful demonstration was brutally suppressed on Prague’s Národní třída – yet that very moment became the fuse that mobilised an entire nation.
In response, the Občanské Fórum – OF – was formed. Students, intellectuals, actors, and artists joined forces to demand freedom, the release of political prisoners, and the resignation of the communist leadership. Václav Havel – dramatist, thinker, and moral authority – played a central role. He became the face and voice of OF, negotiated with the communist government, addressed tens of thousands of demonstrators, and was elected President on 29 December 1989.
His most famous phrase – “Pravda a láska musí zvítězit nad lží a nenávistí” (“Truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred”) – still resonates today. Havel’s legacy is now preserved by the Václav Havel Library, led by Economist Tomáš Sedláček, which continues to promote his ideas both nationally and internationally.
Design as a bridge: Pavel Šťastný lives the values of 17 November to this day
17 November is far more than a nostalgic look back. It reminds us that history is not made by algorithms or hashtags, but by people. In 1989, it was primarily students who had the courage to say that freedom, humanity, and truth are non-negotiable – and that culture can build bridges between generations, societies, and countries.
Pavel Šťastný continues to embody these values. His work follows the principle of that time: things only have meaning if they connect, inspire, and do not lose sight of the human perspective.
After numerous national and international projects, Pavel Šťastný now works on initiatives that connect culture with business, the creative sector, diplomacy, and the state. His approach remains the same: for him, design is less a visual form than a space for dialogue, respect, and a cultivated society.
For the Czech EU Presidency 2022, he invited 27 artists from EU countries, as well as two guests from Ukraine and Norway, to redesign the famous Lennon Wall in Prague under the motto “Wall of Freedom and Energy”. A 35-metre long, faithful inflatable replica of the wall was presented in front of the Panthéon in Paris and at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg. It toured the Czech Republic the same year on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Lennon Wall.
Another example of his numerous activities is the platform and catalogue Czech Strategic Technologies – CST, founded and published by Šťastný, a project in collaboration with the Czech Senate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Chamber of Commerce. It is a modern form of cultural-economic diplomacy, making leading Czech innovations, companies, and technologies internationally visible – while connecting culture, business, and technological progress. The third edition of the Czech Strategic Technologies catalogue was presented at the Černínský Palace, the seat of Czech diplomacy, at the end of September.
Alongside art, Šťastný has a great passion for gastronomy. He co-founded the farmers’ market at the “Kulaťák” and the Food & Culture Embassy Festival, which annually involves more than 50 embassies. For over 25 years he has also collected forks as a symbol of dining culture – his collection now comprises several thousand pieces.
When a symbol becomes a message
“A good logo is like a good story,” says Pavel Šťastný. It conveys emotions, awakens memories, and can hold a community together more strongly than 1,000 words. The OF logo achieved exactly that. And perhaps that is why it is worth remembering it today – with a smile, with distance, and with the awareness that freedom is never to be taken for granted.
