The funeral of former Czech President Vaclav Havel is taking place in the capital, Prague, attended by leaders from around the world.
A bell tolled at the start of the ceremony at St Vitus Cathedral, as mourners in the building and those filling the square outside observed a moment of silence.
Havel, who led the 1989 overthrow of communism, died on Sunday aged 75.
The Archbishop of Prague read out a tribute from Pope Benedict.
The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, are among the mourners.
The presidents of France and Germany are also attending, along with UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
Poland's own dissident-turned-president, Lech Walesa, is also there, along with current leaders from across Eastern Europe.
The former US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, herself born in Prague, is to speak at the ceremony, along with the Czech Foreign Minister, Karel Schwarzenberg.
Havel's coffin lay in state at Prague Castle for several days prior to the ceremony. Thousands of people queued to pay their respects.
The funeral is being shown on big screens in Hradcany Square.
Since Havel's death on Sunday, tributes have come from a wide range of world leaders as well as from Czech citizens.
"I wish that all who are not indifferent to the future of our country, pursue their opinions with the same courage and conviction as Vaclav Havel did," said the current President, Vaclav Klaus.
In a letter to Mr Klaus the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, said Havel's "fight for freedom and democracy was as unforgettable as his great humanity".
