Prague (AFP)
Thousands of admirers of Czech pop singer Karel Gott formed a long queue in front of a Prague palace Friday, listening to the recordings of his songs, to bow on his coffin.
Also very popular abroad, and especially in Germany, where he was nicknamed "Sinatra of the East", Gott died on October 1 following a long illness, at the age of 80 years.
"I have always feared that day and when I heard the news of his death, my world has disintegrated," Pavel Sychra, an adjuster who came to Prague from his home town of Vyskov, told AFP. Is.
The first fans of Gott began to gather on Thursday evening in front of the Zofin Palace, which houses a cultural center and a concert venue in Slovansky Island on the Vltava River, and spent the night there.
They placed flowers and small objects in front of the coffin, placed under a large photo of the singer.
"I'm sorry, I can not speak," said a young woman from Berlin, refusing to be interviewed, before bursting into tears.
"He was a good man, and when I listened to his concerts and songs, I realized how passionate he was, how much he sang from the back of his heart," Berta said. Prasilova, a psychologist arrived from Mlada Boleslav, in the center of the country.
The municipal authorities reduced public transport and strengthened the police system in the neighborhood, but these measures were not necessary. The crowd remained calm and collected.
Fans in mourning had until 8:00 pm GMT to pay homage to their idol, but the palace could stay open beyond this time if needed.
Smaller ceremonies were held in other Czech cities.
Gott had been treated this year for an acute form of leukemia. A few years ago he had conquered cancer.
The "Divine Karel" has recorded nearly 300 records and CDs, of which it has sold millions of copies in some twenty countries.
On Saturday, a ceremony with honors scheduled for the national funeral is scheduled at St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.
© 2019 AFP