CZECH REPUBLIC: A Czech art professor, composer and punk who is tattooed from head to toe, Vladimir Franz, campaigns in the upcoming Czech presidential elections

Record ID: 702562

  • Title: CZECH REPUBLIC: A Czech art professor, composer and punk who is tattooed from head to toe, Vladimir Franz, campaigns in the upcoming Czech presidential elections
  • Date: 10th January 2013
  • Summary: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (DECEMBER 14, 2012) (REUTERS) FRANZ ENTERING ACADEMY OF PERFORMANCE ARTS CLOSE OF ACADEMY SIGN VARIOUS OF FRANZ GIVING LECTURE IN CLASSICAL MUSIC STUDENTS LISTENING VARIOUS OF FRANZ DURING HIS LECTURE POSTER ANNOUNCING CONCERT OF PERFORMER FRANZ PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (DECEMBER 17, 2012) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR ROXY NOD CAFE FRANZ SPEAKING TO AUDIENCE DURING HIS "FRIDAYS WITH VLADIMIR" TALKS GIRLS LISTENING FRANZ SPEAKING WOMAN LAUGHING (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) CANDIDATE FOR CZECH PRESIDENCY, VLADIMIR FRANZ, SAYING: "I trust in God even though I don't have mediators for it - I do not belong to any church, but I think that people should behave in a way that they wouldn't be ashamed of their deeds when someone from up there asks." FRANZ TEAM STREAMING DISCUSSION LIVE VIA INTERNET FRANZ SPEAKING AUDIENCE APPLAUDING (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) FRANZ CAMPAIGN TEAM LEADER, JAKUB HUSSAR, SAYING: "I told myself there are presidential elections coming and only the old faces are going to be recycled, where are the civic candidates? I made up my own criteria for one: he should be apolitical, very well educated and he should be culturally sophisticated. When I added up these three features - then the answer for me was 'Mister Franz'." FRANZ DRAWING AND SUPPORTERS MAGAZINE (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) CANDIDATE FOR CZECH PRESIDENCY, VLADIMIR FRANZ, SAYING: "The initiative "Vladimir Franz For President" was launched and when it was put on Facebook drawing more and more supporters and growing rapidly, than I said "yes", it is possible to go this way, because I am willing and able to take on the responsibility." FRANZ BADGES (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) FRANZ CAMPAIGN TEAM MEMBER, KATERINA SUSTOVA, SAYING: "The Facebook page was established and 5000 fans liked it instantly. Then came the time to decide and Mister Professor decided he will go for it. And from this moment on we jumped onto the running train. Everything we do we do with enthusiasm, we are all being paid by our ideals and people like it very much," PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING PHOTO OF FRANZ TALKING WITH PEOPLE (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) PENSIONER, DAGMAR, FROM PRAGUE, SAYING: "The political scene is - I don't want to use a bad word - very bad here. I hope that he can lead us to something better." FRANZ CAMPAIGN LEAFLETS (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) STUDENT, ADAM JANATA, SAYING: "I don't think that the majority of (Czech) people will accept him, but if he is elected, then it will be a breakthrough not only for us but for the whole world because where else you find a tattooed president." FRANZ FACE ON BADGES (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) CANDIDATE FOR CZECH PRESIDENCY, VLADIMIR FRANZ, SAYING: "I've liked them (tattoos) since my childhood but now it grows more and more: one motive dictates the other and then I recognise that there must be some concept, some composition, because tattoos even if they show something, first of all they are the body rhythm."
  • Embargoed: 25th January 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Czech Republic
  • Country: Czech Republic
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVADRTRV1Q5RIJD5YC79TLI36A1F
  • Story Text: His completely tattooed face immediately became a feature of the Czech Presidential elections, which are set to start on Friday (January 11). Vladimir Franz, a professor at the Academy of Performance Arts in Prague, musician and self-confessed punk, has not only 90 percent of his body covered with tattoos, he is also one of nine candidates for the highest office in the Czech Republic. The seemingly unlikely candidate is polling strongly ahead of the elections with the latest polls indicating his support at about 11 percent.
    53-year-old Franz has no political background and is often marred by graft and corruption scandals. His life philosophy is very simple:
    "I trust in God even though I don't have mediators for it - I do not belong to any church, but I think that people should behave in a way that they wouldn't be ashamed of their deeds when someone from up there asks."
    The idea of Franz running for president was brought up by his students and friends.

    "I told myself there are presidential elections coming and only the old faces are going to be recycled, where are the civic candidates? I made up my own criteria for one: he should be apolitical, very well educated and he should be culturally sophisticated. When I added up these three features - then the answer for me was 'Mister Franz', said film-maker Jakub Hussar, who helped to produce Franz's campaign ad's.
    Franz's students nominated their teacher as an alternative to well-known politicians via Facebook and the idea immediately gained wide support.

    "The initiative "Vladimir Franz For President" was launched and when it was put on Facebook drawing more and more supporters and growing rapidly, than I said "yes", it is possible to go this way, because I am willing and able to take on the responsibility," Franz told Reuters.
    Though his campaign has a very low budget and is run by enthusiastic amateurs working for free - it proved to be successful.

    "The Facebook page was established and 5000 fans liked it instantly. Then came the time to decide and Mister Professor decided he will go for it. And from this moment on we jumped, onto the running train. Everything we do we do with enthusiasm, we are all being paid by our ideals and people like it very much," said Katerina Sustova, a member of the Franz campaign team.
    'Friday talks with Vladimir', which are streamed live on the internet, are an important part of the campaign.
    The majority of Franz' supporters are young Czechs. Many from the older generation are shocked by his appearance and are terrified by the idea of having a tattooed head of state.
    Franz agrees that his tattoos might scare off some of the voters, but says they are more than just tattoos, they are part of his life history and philosophy and a work of art in some way:
    "I've liked them (tattoos) since my childhood but now it grows more and more: one motive dictates the other and then I recognise that there must be some concept, some composition, because tattoos even if they show something, first of all they are the body rhythm,"
    During his meetings with voters, mostly popular with the younger people, Franz often reaches out to the older generation tired of endless corruption scandals in the Czech political establishment.

    "I hope that he can lead us to something better," said Dagmar, a pensioner from Prague.
    Student Adam Janata sees Franz' chances for the prestigious office as slim.

    "I don't think that the majority of (Czech) people will accept him, but if he is elected, then it will be a breakthrough not only for us but for the whole world because where else do you find a tattooed president?," he said.
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