May 21 (Reuters) - Former Czech President Vaclav Havel, 71,
has returned to writing and his new play "Leaving" is due to be
premiered in Prague on Thursday.
Following are a few facts on Havel:
Oct. 5, 1936 - Born into a wealthy Prague family that made
its money in construction and has strong influence in the
artistic community.
Dec. 3, 1963 - His first play, "Garden Party" premieres at a
Prague theatre, lampooning the communist system.
1969 - Havel is barred by communist leaders from his job as
a writer/editor after the suppression of the Prague Spring
reforms of 1968. Forced to work as manual labourer.
Jan. 1, 1977 - Becomes first spokesman for the Charter 77
dissident group that strongly criticises communist officials.
Oct. 18, 1977 - He is given a suspended sentence of 14
months for hurting the interests of the country, a phrase
commonly used at the time to denote criticism of the government.
1978 - He publishes one of his most important works, the
"Power of the Powerless", an analysis of how a totalitarian
regime sticks to power by morally corrupting and manipulating
individuals.
Oct. 23, 1979 - Sentenced to four and a half years in prison
for "subversion" against the state.
Feb. 7, 1983 - Released from prison amid immense foreign
diplomatic pressure after falling seriously ill with pneumonia.
Jan. 1989 - Imprisoned again after meeting dissidents and
French President Francois Mitterrand several weeks earlier when
Mitterrand visited Prague. Havel was sentenced to nine months,
but released in May after protests from both home and abroad.
Dec. 29, 1989 - Chosen as Czechoslovak president following
the November collapse of the communist regime.
July 3, 1992, - Leaves office ahead of the breakup of
Czechoslovakia. On January 26, 1993, he is elected president of
the newly-emerged and independent Czech Republic.
Dec. 2, 1996 - A heavy smoker, Havel is forced into hospital
with recurring pneumonia. Doctors remove part of his cancerous
right lung.
Jan. 20, 1998 - Havel becomes president for a second
five-year term after elections. In April he nearly dies and has
emergency surgery on his large intestine in Austria.
Feb. 2, 2003 - Havel steps down as Czech president.
Nov. 2007 - Havel publishes "Leaving", his first play since
1988. The satire is about a political leader who resigns but
refuses to leave his government residence. Some reviewers say it
is his best work.
Jan. 2008 - Suffers heart arrhythmia and is released from
hospital after two weeks.
(For story click on [])
(Writing by David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit)
