Václav Havel
Václav Havel (Prague, Czechoslovakia, October 5, 1936) is a Czech playwright, essayist, dissident and politician. He became the last President of Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992 and the first President of the Czech Republic (1993-2003).
During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s Havel's poetry and plays were very political and directed against the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. In 1977 he became internationally well known due to his human rights manifesto "Charter 77", which also led to his imprisonment. In 1989, during the Velvet Revolution, Havel became president of his country and helped to transform it into a democratic and capitalist nation.
Connections with Zappa
In January 1990 Zappa was invited by Havel, a life long Zappa fan, to become Cultural Ambassador of Czechoslovakia. Zappa sent him several of his albums to complete his record collection. Havel's favourite Zappa album was "Bongo Fury".
Zappa was invited to Czechoslovakia where he was given a hero's welcome. During the communist regime rock music was banned, especially The Velvet Underground, The Rolling Stones and Frank Zappa due to their rebellious nature. Many people bootlegged the albums and were arrested or beaten up if they got caught owning or listening to these records. A Czech underground band called "The Plastic People of the Universe" was directly inspired by the song Plastic People, which was seen as a revolutionary anthem.
Zappa had many talks with the new Czech government to help promote tourism to the country. Unfortunately Havel was forced to conclude his collaboration with Zappa under pressure of the American government. US Secretary of State James Baker even re-routed a trip through Europe to visit Havel and pressure him into doing business with the United States instead of Zappa.
Quote
"Frank Zappa was one of the gods of the Czech underground, I thought of him as a friend. Whenever I feel like escaping from the world of the Presidency, I think of him."
