Thousands of Czechs mourn Vaclav Havel
At least 10,000 people pack the streets of Prague as the body of former Czech president Vaclav Havel is taken in procession to Prague Castle, where it will lie in state for three days.
Havel’s actress wife, Dagmar Havlova, was joined by leading political and literary figures as his coffin was carried through the city to lie in state until his funeral on Friday.
The hearse began its journey at a cultural centre founded by the former playwright-turned-president – then followed what is known as the royal route through the heart of the old town, to Prague castle, accompanied by a military guard of honour.
The coffin, draped in the Czech flag, was carried inside the castle on a gun carriage, last used in 1937 for the funeral of Tomas Masaryk, who led Czechoslovakia’s struggle for independence from the Austrian empire in 1918.
Symbol of freedom
The current Czech president, Vaclav Klaus, gave a short eulogy at today’s memorial, declaring that “Havel’s name will remain forever linked to the Velvet Revolution, and the restoration of freedom and democracy in our country.”
Havel’s name will remain forever linked to the Velvet Revolution. Vaclav Klaus, Czech president
Many in the crowd were openly weeping, while others begun shaking keys in the air, echoing the mass protests in November 1989 as people hailed the final end of the Communist regime.
Three days of national mourning have been declared before Friday’s funeral, attended by world leaders including Bill and Hillary Clinton, and the French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
A citizens’ group has already begun lobbying for Prague’s Ruzeyne airport to be renamed in Havel’s honour, as the country comes to terms with the loss of a man who symbolised the triumph of decency and truth over oppression and tyranny.
