Rudolf Huliak

The Life and Legacy of Rudolf Huliak

Early Life and Education

Rudolf Huliak was born in Bratislava, Slovakia, on September 21, 1930. He attended Comenius University in Bratislava, where he studied law. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer for several years before turning to journalism.

Journalistic Career

Huliak began his journalistic career in the early 1960s, working for various newspapers and magazines in Slovakia. He quickly gained a reputation for his incisive writing and his fearless reporting on corruption and human rights abuses.

In 1968, Huliak played a leading role in the Prague Spring, a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia. He was one of the founders of the Club of Committed Non-Party Members, a group of intellectuals who advocated for democratic reforms.

Exile and Return

After the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, Huliak was forced to flee the country. He spent the next 20 years in exile, living in Austria, Germany, and the United States. During this time, he continued to write about the political situation in Czechoslovakia and to advocate for human rights.

In 1989, Huliak returned to Czechoslovakia after the Velvet Revolution. He was elected to the Federal Assembly, the country's parliament, and served as Minister of Culture from 1990 to 1992.

Later Life and Legacy

Huliak continued to write and speak out on political and social issues after leaving office. He was a vocal critic of the government's policies on immigration and asylum, and he spoke out against the rise of far-right nationalism in Europe.

Rudolf Huliak died in Bratislava on September 7, 2022, at the age of 91. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in Slovak history, a fearless journalist, and a tireless advocate for human rights.