His songs hit many people in the heart, now they have to say goodbye to him: In Prague, the funeral celebrations have begun for Karel Gott. In front of the Sophienpalais, where the coffin is laid out, kilometer-long snakes formed, which reached all the way to the opposite bank of the Vltava.
The singer of hits like "Lady Carneval", "Catch the Light" and "Bee Maja" died on the 1st of October at the age of 80 years. In the large hall of the Sophienpalais, soldiers held honor guard on Friday at the closed coffin, which was covered with white flowers. A large portrait in black and white reminded of the singer born in Pilsen in 1939, his ballads played in the background. Fans, many in tears, passed the coffin and bowed.
In front of the coffin a red heart of flowers with a message from the young widow: "I love you forever, your Ivana". Folk music star Heino and his wife Hannelore, the Czech Minister of Culture Lubomir Zaoralek and Karel Gotts birthplace Pilsen presented wreaths. With more than 50 million records sold, the singer was one of the greats of the music industry. (Read an obituary here.)
photo gallery
8 pictures
Farewell to Karel Gott: "Hearts do not go out""We spent the whole life with him," said an elderly man from the Bohemian town of Pribram. Many fans had been out in the cold since early morning. Police and rescue workers were deployed with a large contingent. Red Cross helpers distributed coffee to the waiting people.
The government expects 150,000 to 300,000 people. On Saturday, Prime Minister Andrej Babis declared a national day of mourning. The flags are hoisted on half-mast. Family, closest friends and the top of the state are expected as invited guests to a funeral service in St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle. He should be transferred to large screens. The television raises special broadcasts in the program.
