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| @Tomki Nemec |
How It’s New York: There is also a Book of Condolences at the Czech Center in NY. And the Wilma Theater is just a hop from NY, and Blanka often comes in to cast and scout for shows.
How It’s Irish: It’s Celto-Slav. Signing a Book of Condolences is a historical record (De Valera signed Hitler’s Book of Condolences, after the atrocities of Auschwitz were known. It’s not something one does lightly. I’ll be signing Havel’s, tomorrow). Former President Clinton leads the US delegation to the funeral.
Blanka and Jiri Zizka, who run the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia, are Czech and it’s fitting that they alerted me to join the three minutes of silence tomorrow for Václav Havel (1936-2011).
And at the Czech Center in New York City, the Book of Condolence will be Open at the Bohemian National Hall, 321 E. 73rd St., from 10AM – 1PM and 2PM – 5PM.
SPECIAL SERVICE AT THE WILMA THEATER TO HONOR H.E. Václav Havel
Friday, December 23 at 5:45am (to accommodate six-hour time difference in Prague)
The Wilma Theater will open its lobby at 5:45 AM on Friday, December 23 to anyone who would like to honor H.E. Václav Havel’s life and achievements and join the Czech people in three minutes of silence at 6:00 AM. At noon (CET), the whole Czech Republic will hold three minutes of silence to honor the memory of the former Czech President, dissident, and playwright. Throughout the Czech Republic, sirens will sound and churches will ring their bells to honor the legacy of this exemplary statesman and dramatist.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will be the official representatives of the United States during the state funeral in Prague. 42 states are also sending representatives. International delegates in attendance will include British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
A book of condolences provided by The Consul General of the Czech Republic in Philadelphia will be available for the public’s comments and signatures.
The Czech Center writes:
With great sadness, the Czech Center New York informs of passing away of the former dissident, playwright and politician Mr. Václav Havel. Mr. Havel passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2011.
“In Václav Havel we have lost a man who restored dignity to the Czech nation, a man who played a key role in winning freedom for our country in 1989.
He was the most famous Czech, recognized all over the world. Unfortunately, he was more welcome and revered abroad than at home. Though a modest and shy man, he stood his ground when meeting and dealing with the world´s most powerful people. I only hope that at least now we will realize what a man we had in our fellow citizen, and will look up to him as an example.”~Karel Schwarzenberg
THE BOOK OF CONDOLENCE WILL BE OPEN AT THE BOHEMIAN NATIONAL HALL, 321 E 73RD STREET, NEW YORK FROM WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21 TILL FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2011 FROM 10AM-1PM AND 2PM – 5PM.
Visit exhibition Samizdat: The Czech Art of Resistance, 1969-1989 at the gallery of the Czech Center New York.
Exhibition presents footage of Václav Havel and other dissidents.
Special exhibition tour with curator Daniela Sneppova on Thursday, January 12, 6pm.
