[2] Jazz musicians, artists, and intellectuals are credited with promoting the democratic ideals that shaped the Velvet Revolution, which overthrew this regime.

Charter 77, a human rights manifesto, was written in response to the arrest of the band Plastic People of the Universe.

[5] In 1979, Václav Havel was imprisoned for activities on behalf of the charter and the Jazz Section was targeted by the government for their work.

Havel, a playwright and strong patron of the Czechoslovak music scene, became the nation's first post-communist elected president.

Lucerna Music Bar was the site of the Václav Havel Tribute Concert held in the former president's honor, upon his death in 2011.