I'm eagerly anticipating it.
Monday is the 25th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, the end to 41 years of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia. It "officially" started when violent riot police attacked a peaceful student demonstration in Prague; citizens took to the streets and in a few days, half a million people swelled through the city, demanding democracy. Some poignant and powerful photography:
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| The students lit candles and chanted ''we have bare hands'' - i.e. that they were unarmed. But riot police sealed off escape routes before attacking them. - From Radio Free Europe |
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| The demonstrations grew rapidly. On November 19, riot police blocked a bridge to prevent protestors marching to Prague Castle, the seat of the Czechoslovak president. - From Radio Free Europe |
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| Non-violent protesters filled the streets. - From Havel at Columbia |
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| On November 24, the crowds had grown to 300,000. Vaclav Havel, a dissident playwright and former political prisoner, addressed the massive crowd from a balcony overlooking Wenceslas Square. He became President when Communism fell. - From Radio Free Europe |
If you're in or around Prague, Expats.cz has posted a helpful list of things to do and see relative to this monumental day.
Also, Prague blogger Ricky Yates wrote an exceptional post about commemorating the Velvet Revolution on its 20th anniversary here.
On a related note, a Prague Maidan protest we saw in Old Town Square last weekend coincided (purposefully, I'm sure) with the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution.
Saying prayers for peace and stability in Crimea, and looking forward to celebrating the beauty of democracy here in the Autumnal Czech Republic.
What a great reason to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteI clearly need a further supply of polish for my halo, Em, after having my post about the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution described by you as 'exceptional'. But more seriously - thank you for your kind words & for the back link. Like you, I'm very much looking forward to Monday to see how this significant anniversary is celebrated as well as hoping to find fresh material for another blog post.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing that you'll be able to experience this anniversary right there in Prague!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Hmmm, wonder if I could hop on a plane to be there for this monumental occasion in a city I hold so dear??!! One day I hope I can take my kids back when they are older to experience this (my daughter is Czech, Roma that we adopted while we lived there and my twins were born there).
ReplyDeleteThose are some fantastic photos! I have asked several people about this holiday and seriously NO ONE I've talked to cares or has any intention of celebrating it. To me, it seems like a pretty big deal, but (shrug). I will be celebrating my second Czechaversary this weekend so I always remember this holiday that I moved here on for that reason, if nothing else. Looking forward to attending some of the celebrations for this on Monday!
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos. It's so interesting to be somewhere with a population that went through and remembers such a momentous occasion.
ReplyDeletePowerful images! So much history. I can see why some might be reluctant to celebrate it though. It might be too raw and fresh so to speak in their minds.
ReplyDeleteHow incredible to live somewhere with such raw history! x
ReplyDeleteYeah - it's hard to believe it wasn't that long ago that Communism fell!
ReplyDeleteYes, perhaps, although the streets sure were full in Prague! It was a super atmosphere :)
ReplyDeleteTotally! And it's extra-hyped this year, being the 25th anniversary and all.
ReplyDeleteWowza - really?! Narodni Trida was packed to the gills on the 17th with people holding candles; it was beautiful! It would be interesting to take a litmus test on non-Praguers; maybe it's more significant to them here. Happy Czechaversary, by the way!!
ReplyDeleteThat would be so brilliant, Tina! I think the celebration was extra-big this year for the 25th anniversary. I'd love to hear more about your adoption story; I have a couple of colleagues who have adopted here, too!
ReplyDeleteIt was so, so cool! Thanks for stopping by :)
ReplyDeleteCheers, Ricky! I am sorely behind blogging/reading blogs/commenting, but I will be checking yours out soon. I ended up having a fantastic time on Narodni Trida; it was a very moving celebration!
ReplyDeleteTouche! The stuff I take for granted as an American...
ReplyDeleteI have it written up on my blog. Our journey includes infertility (I did IVF in Prague too) as well. So, it's a long write up of our whole journey, but if you have some time, you can read our story here =): http://www.girl-meets-globe.com/p/infertility-our-path-to-parenthood.html
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, Tina!! I am clicking on it right now...
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