Václav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic, passed away today. A playwright turned revolutionary turned president of a new democracy, Havel represented the best of humanity facing the worst the late twentieth century had to offer. As one of his revolutionary compatriots said of the playwright president: “Havel was the man who was able to stage this miracle play. The sacrifice was to cast himself in the main role.” Read a full obituary at The Guardian.

Havel served as inspiration for one of the best plays ever written about music: Tom Stoppard’s Rock ‘n’ Roll. Stoppard’s play follows a set of characters as they deal with the dissonance between the ideals of a socialistic society and realities of the Soviet brand of Communism with which they lived. Rock and roll music was a crucial revolutionary force to the Czechs who opposed the Soviet system. Havel’s presence is felt throughout the play. Stoppard even named one of the characters Ferdinand in tribute to Havel’s most famous character (and his alter ego), Ferdinand Vaněk (disregard that I may have a personal affinity for the latter character because we share a strong Czech surname…).

Anyway, do yourself a favor, get yourself a copy of Rock ‘n’ Roll (local library or Amazon—or go see it performed if you can), and learn a little bit of history in honor of Havel. It’s a fantastic piece of literature, a fun read, and it will open your eyes to the history of a small band of young revolutionaries who in their midst had a artist with the skills to lead a nation.