88 years old (Born on October 05, 1936)
Happy birthday to Václav Havel—celebrated playwright, unwavering dissident, and charismatic first president of the Czech Republic! Your brilliant plays uniquely bridged absurdity with profound insight. Who else could make political turmoil so humorously dramatic on stage that it prepared them perfectly for governing real-life drama?We fondly recall your iconic speeches, thoughtfully composed essays and legendary willingness to sneak humor into the gravest occasions. From boldly leading peaceful revolutions to turning presidential palaces into theatres of wisdom (and occasional comedic acts), you always reminded us that politics is part tragicomedy—and thankfully you're still regarded as its finest playwright-director yet!