Prague, May 11 (CTK) – The ongoing Year of Havel event, staged by the Czech Centre in Kiev, is to cast a new light on the Czech Republic in Ukraine alienated by President Milos Zeman’s not siding with it in its conflict with Russia, daily Lidove noviny (LN) writes on Wednesday.
The Year of Havel is to change the view of not only the former head of Czech state (1993-2003), culture and theatre, but also of Czechs as people who have a similar historical experience with Ukrainians, LN writes.
So far, Czechs are a symbol of security for Ukrainians who also know Czech beer, ice hockey and Prague.
Now they should learn Havel as an author by means of the theatre, books and several exhibitions, LN writes.
The Year of Havel is to start new Czech-Ukrainian cultural and social relations. Now over 1,000 young Ukrainians are learning at least some basic Czech. Most of them want to leave for the Czech Republic to study, but some of them forever, it adds.
For those who cannot speak Czech, Havel’s books are being translated and discussions and exhibitions are being staged, LN writes.
In Kiev, two Havel’s dramas will be premiered this year.
It will be the Redevelopment from 1987 and Audience from 1975.
Ukrainians will also make a unique experiment. They will come to Prague with the performance of Redevelopment. On October 5, 2016, on the day of Havel’s 80th birth anniversary, it will be played as part of the festival Havel 80 in Prague, LN writes.
“If the former regime [of Viktor Yanukovych] had not been toppled and if the Maidan uprising had not occurred, no Havel would be performed here,” theatre director Bretislav Rychlik, who will be in charge of Redevelopment, is quoted as saying.
The exhibition Havel as a Citizen, Politician and Writer is being prepared at the landmark Maidan Square, LN writes.
“The fact that Havel is being rehearsed here is a sign of their desire to be part of the European space, not a satellite of Russia,” Rychlik said.
“I am being told that for them, Havel is a tremendous model, a sort of Czech Gandhi and that they really lack such a personality,” he added.
