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Talking Point14th anniversary of Velvet Revolution
During the second half of the 1980s, the tension that was created after the
1968 Soviet-led invasion in Czechoslovakia had eased, especially after the
introduction of Mikhail Gorbachev's Perestroika reforms in the Soviet
Union. The Czechoslovak leadership, however, still headed by Gustav Husak
who came to power after the '68 invasion, was suspicious of movements
intended to "reform communism from within" and continued to
embrace a hard line. But by 1988 there were organized demonstrations
demanding change and with the fall of the Berlin Wall and weakening
communist governments in other neighbouring countries, it was not to be
long before Czechoslovakia too would be freed from its oppressive regime.
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Current AffairsNew book examines Czech students' role in demise of Communist system
A new book entitled "Students and Communist Rule between 1968 and
1989" has just appeared on the bookshelves. The aim is to highlight
the special role Czech students played not only in overthrowing the
communist regime fourteen years ago, but throughout the totalitarian era.
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WitnessMartin Smid - the student who survived his own death on the 17th November 1989
This month is the 14th anniversary of the dramatic events that in a matter
of days brought down Czechoslovakia's communist regime. We remember the
period as a bloodless or "velvet" revolution, but on the 17th
November 1989, at the height of the student demonstration that sparked the
revolution, a rumour spread like wildfire that a mathematics student from
Prague's Charles University, a certain Martin Smid, had been beaten to
death by the police. It was true that Martin had been at the
demonstration, but as we hear from him now, rumours of his death were
greatly exaggerated.
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Talking PointWriter Padraic Kenney discusses his book "A Carnival of Revolution" and the events of 1989 in Central Europe
Almost fourteen years ago, the communist regimes of Central and Eastern
Europe came crumbling down, starting a new era in the history of Europe.
In Czechoslovakia, the events of November and December of 1989 came to be
known as the "Velvet Revolution". Although they bear much in
common, the revolutions in other countries of the region were not so
peaceful and rapid. Professor Padraic Kenney from the Department of
History at the University of Colorado is the author of a recently
published book called "A Carnival of Revolution", which deals
precisely with those events that ultimately changed the map of Europe. Dr
Kenney came to the Czech Republic recently to discuss his book and the
events of 1989 at Prague's Charles University. Our former colleague Dean Vuletic spoke to Mr
Kenney and began by asking him about the genesis of his book.
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Current AffairsCzech Radio History Part VI - November 17th, 1989
In this week's edition of our special on the history of Czech Radio,
marking the station's 80th anniversary, Jan Velinger looks at the role of
the station during the fall of Communism in 1989.
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WitnessMichal Lobkowicz - soldier of the revolution
During the Velvet Revolution, Michal Lobkowicz found himself wanting to
take part in the events that would change the course of his country's
history. But while many were content with just being a part of the
revolution, Michal Lobkowicz continued to pursue a career in politics, and
in 1990 he was elected to the Czech parliament as a member of the Civic
Democratic Party. In 1998, at the age of 34, he became defence minister in
the interim government of Josef Tosovsky, and during his ministerial term
he quit the Christian Democrats for the newly formed Freedom Union. Last
year he left politics to start afresh, and he is now pursuing a career in
business. Here he recalls the "fresh start" that his country
made in 1989, and the role he played in the Velvet Revolution.
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Current Affairs Neon Heart over Prague Castle
There's a new art installation that has caught every body's attention in
Prague - a giant red neon heart by renowned Czech artist Jiri David.
Installed over Prague Castle, it's visible on the skyline from just about
everywhere. The work is the second in a series of what Jiri David calls
"contextual" art objects to decorate well-know sites in the
city: last year a large neon crown of thorns decorated Prague's Rudolfinum
Palace. In general, both installations have evoked positive reactions. The
country's president, Vaclav Havel, was certainly pleased when he
officially turned the installation on last Sunday, calling the heart a
symbol of "love, understanding, and decency".
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Letter from Prague How I missed the start of the Velvet Revolution
Until 1989, the 17th of November was only remembered as International
Students' Day in Czechoslovakia, commemorating the student resistance in
the streets of Prague against the Nazi occupation in 1939. Thirteen years
ago, the date took on a whole new meaning, although students had a lot to
do with it too. On that day a peaceful gathering of university students
was brutally cracked down by the police, an event which set the ball
rolling and turned into what was dubbed the "Vevet Revolution".
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Central Europe TodayComing to terms with the Communist Past
Hello and thanks for tuning in to this final edition of Central Europe
Today. Some 13 years ago, at the end of 1989, the Communist regimes of
central and eastern Europe collapsed, bringing an end to four long decades
of oppressive, totalitarian rule and yet, the Czech Republic, Poland,
Hungary, and Slovakia that have been independent democracies for over a
decade are still referred to as post-Communist countries and their
Communist background still remains very much alive today.
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