Michael Žantovský / Štěpánka Jislová: Havel – Playing with the Devil

The year 1977 was one of the most dramatic periods in the life of playwright, essayist and human rights activist Václav Havel. After several days of interrogation following the publication of the Charter 77 declaration, along with house searches, Havel, already famous at that time, ended up in investigative custody on charges of subversion and damaging the country’s interests abroad. He was released after four months and ended up in prison again two years later, this time for more than four years. This is the basis for a comic strip micro-drama in which the hero struggles not only with the machinations of a totalitarian regime but also with his own inner doubts and weaknesses. Havel. Hrátky s čertem (Havel – Playing with the Devil), a brand new graphic novel by Michael Žantovský and Štěpánka Jislová, will be launched at the Václav Havel Library. Jáchym Topol will serve as host for the evening.