Havel's remains make their way to Prague Castle

HAVEL Thousands joined the procession of former President Václav Havel's coffin as his remains were transported from Prague's city center to Prague Castle this morning. The procession was led by a hearse as well as Havel's second wife, Dagmar, and her daughter. Defense Minister Alexandr Vondra and musician Michael Kocáb, longtime friends and fellow dissidents took part in the procession. The coffin will stay in Prague Castle's Vladislav Hall through Friday, when a memorial service will take place at St. Vitus Cathedral. Havel's remains will then be cremated and interred in the family crypt.  

AIRPORT A group of citizens including filmmaker Fero Fenic have begun a campaign to have Prague's Ruzyně Airport be renamed to honor Havel, the Czech News Agency (ČTK) reported. The airport now bears the name of the neighborhood in which it sits and shares the moniker with a prison where Havel was held by the communist regime. Several cities throughout the country are reportedly considering renaming their main squares after Havel. Prague City Council officials have expressed support for renaming the airport and say they will also dedicate a street to Havel.  

COMMUNISTS Four deputies from the Communist Party (KSČM) refused to participate in a ceremony honoring Havel in the Chamber of Deputies Dec. 20, the daily Právo reported. The foursome - Stanislav Grospič, Marta Semelová, Miroslav Grebeníček and Pavel Hojda - announced their decision to fellow party members before the ceremony took place. "They told us they would not attend for personal reasons that are insurmountable. In view of this, it would be hypocritical of them to attend, they said," a KSČM deputy told the paper.  

The Prague Post's special edition commemorating the life of Václav Havel is on newsstands today.  

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