If you want to see your plays performed the way you wrote them, become president

If you want to see your plays performed the way you wrote them, become president

Vaclav Havel, the renowned Czech playwright and dissident, is often quoted as saying, “If you want to see your plays performed the way you wrote them, become president.” This statement encapsulates the unique journey of Havel, who transitioned from a celebrated playwright to the President of Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic.

Havel’s plays, such as “The Garden Party” and “The Memorandum,” were known for their satirical and critical portrayal of the oppressive communist regime in Czechoslovakia. As a playwright, Havel used his art as a form of resistance against the totalitarian government, often facing censorship and persecution for his work. However, it was his unwavering commitment to truth and freedom that eventually propelled him into the political arena.