‘Flower boat’ to commemorate Václav Havel as 2011 draws to a close

A boat laden with flowers and wreaths dedicated to the late ex-president Václav Havel, who died at the age of 75 after prolonged illness a fortnight ago, will launch from a pier in Prague on Saturday morning, travelling on the Vltava and Labe rivers towards Děčín, North Bohemia. The news was revealed by Sabina Tančevová, secretary to Mr Havel’s office. The idea, she said, was that of musician Michael Kocáb and visual artist David Černý. Mr Havel’s family and office staff agreed with organisers that the many flowers and wreaths brought to Mr Havel’s funeral last week could be displayed on a final journey that viewers would be able to see from the river banks. On the first day the boat will reach Mělník, north of Prague, the next will continue on to Ústí nad Labem, and on the third (January 2nd) it will dock at the final destination.

Author: Jan Velinger