In the Czech republic, today marks the day of saying goodbye to the singer Karel Gott, who died on October 1st at the age of 80 after a long and serious illness. Invited celebrities paid their respects at Saint Vitus' Cathedral, where Prague archbishop Dominik Duka offered the requiem mass for Maestro. The public and fans could say goodbye to the deceased star in the courtyard of Prague castle or in Hradčany Square, where people had been gathering since early morning hours. The government declared today a national day of mourning.
A phenomenon, an icon, and ultimately Maestro, without whom the Czech music scene wouldn't be where it is today. The singer who has changed the Czech music scene forever has set out on his final journey today. Thousands of guests were invited to Saint Vitus' Cathedral, among them politicians, actors, singers, and close friends, including singer Michal David.
"I was supposed to fly to a meeting with producers in New York yesterday, but I canceled the flight and won't be flying until tonight,"
You could only attend the requiem mass with an invitation. The public could watch the religious ceremony on the premises of the Prague castle in the third courtyard or on large screens that were places in the corner of the courtyard. The ceremony was organized by the deceased singer's widow Ivana Gottová, together with the Prague Archdiocese, the Office of the Government, and Office of the President.
There was a very emotional moment during the mourning ceremony, when Eva Urbanová, Štefan Margita and Lucie Bílá sang spiritual songs by César Franck and Franz Schubert.
Eva Urbanová told us. The entire mass was almost an hour and a half long, and at its conclusion, the largest of the cathedral's bells, Zikmund, sounded throughout all of Prague. The singer's remains should be cremated at the Prague Motol crematorium. The Czech Republic is still mourning, though, the memorial sites in Prague and elsewhere are being flooded with flowers, candles, presents and kind messages.