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Current AffairsWeek of Freedom marks 20-year-anniversary of withdrawal of Soviet troops
On July 1, 1991, the Warsaw Treaty was officially dissolved and 36 years of
Czechoslovakia’s military alliance with the USSR came to an end. As a
consequence, Soviet troops stationed in the country during the 1968
invasion were gradually withdrawn – an anniversary that the Czech NGO
Opona is celebrating with a series of events entitled Week of Freedom,
starting Monday. Sarah Borufka spoke to David Gaydečka, one of the
organizers of Freedom Week about the events planned.
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Current AffairsMarch that sparked Velvet Revolution re-created in Prague
The people of the Czech Republic have been marking the 20th anniversary of
the start of the Velvet Revolution, which led to the collapse of the
country’s Communist government after over four decades of repression. The
main event on Tuesday was the re-enactment in Prague of the student
demonstration that sparked those changes in 1989.
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Current AffairsStar-studded concert and re-enactment of November ’89 march among events planned for 20th anniversary
One of the biggest events in Prague after the fall of communism was a
now-legendary concert by the Rolling Stones at Strahov Stadium in 1990.
They were received afterwards at Prague Castle by President Václav Havel,
who became quite friendly with the band. Now 20 years later, the Rolling
Stones leader Mick Jagger is coming back to the city – he’s one of a
number of famous artists playing at a special concert organised by Mr
Havel. Another big event marking the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution
will be a recreation of the student demonstration on November 17 1989 which
set in motion the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia.
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From the ArchivesGuests at the Castle: Frank Zappa and the Pope
During Václav Havel’s first year as Czechoslovak president, Prague
Castle saw a string of visitors from around the world. And they did not
just include heads of state and other political dignitaries. On January 21
1990, one of the first foreign guests to be received by the new president
was none other than the legendary American rock musician, Frank Zappa, who
had been one of the inspirations for the Czech underground movement in the
‘70s and ‘80s, including Havel himself.
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ArtsFree music festival brings party to Vltava’s islands as Czech EU presidency winds down
Tens of bands and dozens of djs performed around Prague on Thursday evening
to open this year’s United Islands Festival. The event, which is in its
fifth year, is promising over 150 hours of free music to those who find
themselves down by the banks of the Vltava River between Thursday evening
and Saturday night. This year, the festival ties in with the Czech
Republic’s EU presidency, which comes to an end in less than two weeks.
David Gaydečka is the event’s organizer:
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Current AffairsFrank Zappa's connections to Prague
This week the people of Prague have a chance to hear Frank Zappa's music,
thanks to the efforts of the American rock musician's sons, Ahmet and
Dweezil. They have organized a European concert tour called "Tour de
Frank", and are performing in honour of their father, who died in
1993. There is a special connection between Frank Zappa and the Czech
Republic. Zappa's music belongs to a repertoire once-banned by the
communist censors, and Frank Zappa himself gained huge acclaim in Prague
following the Velvet Revolution.
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Current AffairsFreak Out! Zappa to be performed at Prague Spring Music Festival
One of the world's most prestigious classical music festivals - the Prague
Spring - opened on Monday, with the traditional performance of "My
Country" by the Czech composer Bedrich Smetana. Over the next three
weeks, audiences will be treated to some of the finest classical music
performed by some of the most talented musicians in the world. But this
year, for the first time in the festival's 58-year history, rock music
will be included in the repertoire. Rob Cameron reports.
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