The fourth courtyard will remain open as well as the passage between the second and the third courtyard leading to the main portal of St. Vitus Cathedral. Therefore, the only tour available for tourists from 5th to 8th March will be the
Short Tour
Mr Klaus's programme published on the website www.klaus.cz will begin on Friday by laying wreaths at the statue of Masaryk in Hradcanske Square. On 7th March, it will be exactly 158 years since the first Czechoslovakian president was born. Then, the President will move from the statue of TGM to the Vladislav Hall where shortly after 10 am. he will take his oath of office at the joint meeting of the two Parliament chambers.
Apart form other guests, former president Vaclav Havel and his wife Dagmar will also be present. According to the Castle's representatives, no foreign politicians have been invited.
Following the Constitution, the President takes his oath at the hands of the chairperson of the Chamber of Deputies, which is presently social democrat Miloslav Vlček. Mr Klaus, with a hand laid on the Constitution of the Czech Republic, will utter the following words:
I swear to be faithful to the Czech Republic, I swear that I will observe its Constitution and its legislation. I swear by my honour that I will execute my office in the interest of all the people with the best conscience. Then he will confirm his obligation with a signature. The last time, the President had to show his quickness, when the prepared pen did not write - Mr Klaus then took his own pen out of his breast pocket.
What will follow is the national anthem performed by Prague castle Guard Band during which there will be an artillery fusillade. Then Mr Klaus is expected to make his first speech in his second term of office, which will finish in 2013. According to the Constitution, it is not possible to stand as a candidate three times.
After the oath, Mr Klaus accompanied by the Minister of Defence Vlasta Parkanová, will execute a solemn military parade. Then he will direct himself from the third courtyard to St. Vitus Cathedral, to bow to the relics of Saint Wenceslaus, saint patron of the Czech Lands.
Finally, Mr Klaus will receive congratulations from the guests who in the meantime will gather in the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle. This is where, on 15th February, the Parliament elected for the second time Mr Klaus the head of the country.
Castle representatives had earlier notified that common people will have the opportunity to greet the old new president, if they come that day to the Castle.
Friday's inauguration programme of President Vaclav Klaus:
09:30 - Laying a wreath at the statue of T.G Masaryk in Hradcanske Square
10:00 - President's oath
10:40 - President's attending military parade in the third courtyard of Prague Castle
11:00 - Laying flowers to the relics of St Wenceslaus in St. Vitus Cathedral
11:30 - Rendezvous with guests in the Spanish Hall in Prague Castle.
(praha.eu and čtk)