May 4, 2006, 13:24 GMT
Prague - Opening day at a Prague book fair Thursday was the occasion for release of the first book in 15 years by former Czech president and communist dissident Vaclav Havel.
'Prosim Strucne' (Briefly, Please) is being called by its publisher 'a literary collage' based on diary entries, letters and conversations with Czech writer Karel Hvizdala, who collaborated with Havel.
The book is a sequel to a 1986 book based on Hvizdala's surreptitious interview with then-dissident leader Havel. They communicated by mail while Hvizdala lived in exile in Bonn and Havel remained behind the Iron Curtain.
In the latest work Havel, who is also a playwright and essayist, framed the book with a 'theatre structure, said the Prague-based publisher Gallery.
It said the book answers Havel's critics and 'gives insight into his complex mind, presents his views of politicians, politics (and) retirement.'
Havel, 69, retired from the presidency in 2003 after 13 years in office. He now works on human rights issues, supporting democracy movements in Cuba and Belarus, and is currently working on his first play since 1988.
The 1986 book 'Dalkovy Vyslech' (Long-distance Questioning) was released in English in 1990, after Havel helped lead the bloodless overthrow of communism known as the Velvet Revolution. The English edition was renamed Disturbing the Peace and won international acclaim.
Until now Havel's most recent book was Letni Premitani (Summer Meditations), published in 1991 after his first year as president.
The new book is expected to be translated into German later this year, followed by French, English and other languages.
Havel was expected to discuss the book and sign copies Saturday at Prague's Book World fair.
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