On the occasion of the Korean premiere of „Odcházení“ (Leaving), the latest drama of former Czech and Czechoslovak president and famous playwright Václav Havel, the Korean translation was published by LG Arts Center with a financial support of the Embassy of the Czech Republic and with the help of Archa Theatre from Prague. While Havel´s non-fiction is available to Korean public in numerous editions, this is only his second play available in Korean, after „Audience“. But this time, Havel´s play has been translated directly from the original Czech version, thanks to Korean drama director and former student of Prague´s Academy of Arts Shin Ho.

As it is the first Havel´s play in nearly two decades, his return to theatre world attracted huge international attention and won a standing ovation in May 2008, in Prague. Produced by Prague-based Archa Theatre, the play was directed by David Radok, well-known Czech opera director. Havel’s Leaving, inspired by William Shakespeare’s King Lear and Anton Chekhov´s The Cherry Orchard, tells the story of a former chancellor whose life collapses after he loses power. It already saw a premieres in Britain, US, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and elsewhere - but the Korean edition is only the second one published after original Czech version! Korean edition published by LG Arts Center and co-sponsored by the Embassy of the Czech Republic, Seoul, is also the first published adaptation of the play, as it was prepared for its stage premiere for Archa Theatre in Prague.

Book was christened by famous Czech-American actor Jan Tříska, known a.o. from films by Miloš Forman, who plays a leading role, jointly with Archa Theatre director Ondřej Hrab and Ambassador of the Czech Republic Jaroslav Olša, jr. who initiated the publication of Korean translation of the play. Among the guests was also Korea National University of Arts´ professor Kim Yun-Cheol, president of influential International Association of Theatre Critics, as well as members of Seoul Literary Society, diplomats and friends of the Czech Republic.   

The Korean edition will not be widely available due to its small print run. You can obtain it directly from LG Arts Center.