FAIR PLAY: Gott's funeral directed by the Maestro himself, flawless Bohdalová and the stories of people who will love him forever
Beauty, grandeur, emotions. Farewell to a Czech legend, a giant, a man with a capital M, a singer of the highest caliber... Those last names are just too many, it was legendary. For the last time, the nation had been experiencing the death of Václav Havel in a similar way. There was not a single eye left dry. Karel Gott had time to prepare for his departure and it was obvious. He even pre-ordered the weather. With great respect and grief in my heart, I also said goodbye...
It is almost unbelievable how everything went smoothly. Not only there was a beautiful weather on Friday and Saturday, such a day when you have a warm sunshine smile on your face, but Prague was thanks to the media massage on traffic closures completely passable.
Although many fans have already arrived on Thursday afternoon, some even spent the night in front of the Žofín Palace and on Friday at seven in the morning the queue of mourning guests reached to Smíchov, nothing happened what would be worth the intervention of the police or rescuers.
Almost fifty thousand people bowed at the coffin on Žofín. Peacefully, no disturbances. I truly looked around like crazy wondering how this was even possible. The Czechs showed themselves again in the better light. Several times it was mentioned from many people that Karel was simply connecting people. And it is true. All generations stood in line. All! A ten-year-old boy spoke so knowingly and lovingly about the Maestro that his mother's chin was shaking. She was moved. Not only by Karel but also by her son's love.
A ninety-year-old grandmother who could barely walk, stood for two-hours in a queue to say her goodbye for the last time and recited a poem to Karel Gott, which she composed only for him. I was impressed by the stories of people who came to bow.
Screenplay
A close and old colleague of Gott admitted to the media that Karel had planned his funeral. All the songs that were played in the loop all day in Žofín were chosen by himself. In St. Vitus Cathedral his life friend Jiřina Bohdalová spoke for a long time. So they had agreed with Karel previously. He was originally supposed to speak at her funeral because the actress is eight years older, but it turned out differently.
Jiřina Bohdalová moved the nation, she spoke beautifully. Her voice echoed across the courtyard of Prague Castle, and everyone who was present teared. Me too. Although I was not among the invited and I was not in the cathedral, I kept my eyes on the screen. Czech Television has done a truly excellent job. I can't imagine how many cameras they had deployed on the spot, but certainly the person who was responsible for the screenplay worked hard.
One day we will learn about Karel in schools and the documentary from his last journey is a masterpiece, which will be preserved for generations.
What is too much, is too much
I have nothing against the work of journalists, although many of them are real hyenas and are not ashamed to basically climb into the coffin. I am glad that the media has documented the singing star's departure, but on the other hand, I think it is necessary to leave the family of the deceased alone in certain intimate acts. Photographs of Ivanka and her daughters kissing the coffin in front of the Motol crematorium should not be published. No, they shouldn't have been taken at all. That's disgusting.
I like that no event has been canceled, even though a state mourning has been declared. Karel loved fun and wouldn't want it either. So there was both the Signal Festival and the first round of the StarDance dance show, where they said goodbye to Gott, who had never been a good dancer, in style. All couples danced on his songs. God, and Karel sang so many songs... I'm going to play one again...
Karel has turned to dust, but in the hearts of millions of Czechs, Slovaks and Germans he will remain forever. Even in mine.
