"The Man Who Fell to Earth" (1976)

Ziggy played guitar, jamming good with Weird and Gilly…

David Bowie – an alien from Mars! Since his first singles, he rocked the music world and never ceased to amaze his fans and haters. Glam rock, hard rock, industrial, ambient, disco and so on – not a single music style dared to oppose David Bowie! Sadly, two years ago David Bowie returned to Mars, but we still could enjoy his music.

Adding to that, David Bowie was an actor, who starred in some good films, but, of course, their amount could be much higher. I always saw him as Lawrence of Arabia (in David Lean’s version) or as Bond villain (especially, in View to a Kill). He never acted in those films, but he still had some marvelous roles, including John in The Hunger.

In 1976, David Bowie showed his acting skills in The Man Who Fell to Earth. Into his first major film, David Bowie played himself – an alien, who arrived from desert Mars. Only this time, he showed his alternative plan – as a brilliant innovator, who wanted to earn some money in order to finance the supply of fresh water to Mars.

David Bowie made a wise choice in choosing music, because business is a ruthless field of battle, which destroys the people and aliens alike. He presented new technology to the humans, but not a lot of people understand it and David Bowie hasn’t got an ability to realize fully his ideas. Even more, the people are turning their backs on David Bowie and, finally, send him to the psychiatric hospital.

Compared to business, the music world of the late 1960s – early 1970s presented a «window of opportunities» and David Bowie played his brilliant music from Mars to the people. David Bowie wasted no time in studying human music and achieved some wonderful results. That is why, every David Bowie album is a unique event. And if he went to business, he would become another Howard Hughes.

By watching this well shot alternative life story of David Bowie (we still haven’t found out his alien name), we could again compliment him on the right choice. I still hope, that one day he will go back to Earth and give us some great music. But meanwhile - Put on your red shoes and dance the blues!

A visit to Vaclav Havel Library (22nd of August, 2018)

Vaclav Havel - a playwright, poet, intellectual and the first post-communstic President of Czechoslovakia, and later the Czech Republic. I did not know too much about Vaclav Havel except for the fact, that Czech people respects him. That is why, on my Czech trip (20-25 of August) I have decided to explore more about him.

On the first day, I, after three hour sleep and hotel check-in, went to Wenceslas Square, visited the first bookshop and bought a biography of Havel, written by Michael Žantovský (founding member of the Civic Forum, press-secratary to Havel, the Czech ambassador to the US, Israel and the UK and Executive director of the Library).

The book is very interesting and written by a good language, that is why reading of it is a quite joyful experience (I have not yet finished). By the 22th of August, I have read about 150 pages, and it gave some information before visit to the Vaclav Havel Library.  

1. Logistic.

The Library is situated on Ostrovni street in Nové Město quarter, which is quite near to the Most Legií and subway station Národní třída. But I recommend to visit the Library after visiting the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle or some other nice attraction.

2. The Library.

When you reach the destination, you will see a little house with Knihovna Vaclava Havla billboard. You should press the call and the door will be opened by a very pleasant woman - Karolína Stránská (an ex protocol aide to Vaclav Havel, employee of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affair, Defence).

Compared to enormous JFK Library, Vaclav Havel Library have a rather small exposition, including an interactive guide to the important years and places in Vaclav Havel's life, picture gallery, little copy of Vaclav Havel's childhood house and some personal belongings (for example, a typewriter).

But the most interesting part of the visit was a half-hour discussion with Carolina (I wanted to take a picture with her, but did not have a chance) and some German man. We discussed different themes and it was a rather open, deep and intelligent discussion, and also I got a chance to find out a few facts about the late President. Because of that, the visit inspired me to discover something more about Havel, so I went to the bookstore and bought Vaclav Havel's Prague and Open Letters, and on Friday I bought Letters to Olga and To the Castle and Back.

And after reading Michael Žantovský biography, I am planning to translate it (I once translated The Age of Augustus by Werner Eck, but I need to give my brain a hard challenge) and I would like to visit the Library again, to hear or participate in some discussions.