Vaclav Havel achieved success in drama, but became known as an outstanding politician. He took an active part in the events of the political life of the Czech Republic in different years, was persecuted, and was in prison. Havel went down in history as a fighter for democratic ideals and the first president of a free Czech Republic.
From the biography of Vaclav Havel
Vaclav Havel was born on October 5, 1936. His grandfather was successfully involved in the construction business, and was also known as the founder of the Lucernefilm film company. By 1939, the family owned a film studio, several apartment buildings, and a chain of restaurants. They also disposed of vast forest lands. Wenceslas's maternal grandfather was once an ambassador to Hungary and Austria, then ran one of the shoe factories, and later received the post of Minister of Propaganda.
In 1947, Vaclav graduated from primary school. After that, the boy was sent to a boarding school. However, when the Communists came to power a year later, the Havels' property was confiscated. Vaclav was forced to leave school. The young man continued his education at a vocational school, where he received the specialty of a laboratory chemist.
In 1950, Havel got a job in a chemical laboratory. Simultaneously with his work, he studied at the evening gymnasium. Then she studied at the Faculty of Economics of the Technical University in Prague.
Havel was married twice. Olga Gavlova became his first wife. For the second time, the actress Dagmar Veshkrnova became his chosen one.
Vaclav Havel: the path to the heights of creativity
In 1955, Wenceslas tried his hand as a literary critic and quickly gained popularity in relevant circles. At the same time, Havel began work on his own plays.
From 1957 to 1959, Havel served in the Czechoslovak army. At the end of his service, he is a stage worker at the theater "Na Zabradli". But soon Vaclav becomes a literary manager and assistant director. The theater fascinates Havel, he even comprehends the art of drama in absentia at the Prague Academy of Arts.
In 1963, the young playwright's first play, A Party in the Garden, was presented to the public. In subsequent years, he created a number of works for the theater. These are mainly satirical plays, where the author tries to reflect the absurdity of his contemporary reality.
Havel's political activities
In 1965, Havel is involved in political activities. He is a member of the editorial board of the literary magazine "Tvarzh". Subsequently, this publication was closed by the authorities.
During the Prague Spring, Havel actively opposes the entry of Warsaw Pact troops into Czechoslovakia. This was followed by a ban on the publication of Havel's books and on the staging of his works. However, the plays of the rebel continued to be staged in other countries.
From 1970 to 1989, Vaclav Havel was prosecuted three times. He spent about five years in prison. After his release, he became one of the organizers of the Civil Forum, which became the nucleus of the opposition movement in the country.
After the velvet revolution, the deputies of the Federal Assembly elect Havel as president of Czechoslovakia. In 1990, he was re-elected for two years in the first free elections. Two years later, Havel resigned from the country's top post.
After the disintegration of Czechoslovakia in 1993, Havel was elected as the first president of the Czech Republic, having held this post for two terms. His term expired in 2003.
The stay in prisons affected the health of the politician. As president, he was often ill. In 1996, half of his lung was removed. After that, Havel developed severe pneumonia, and lung problems became permanent.
Vaclav Havel passed away on December 18, 2011.
