Velvet Revolution Walking TourA walk through Prague reveals the city's incredible recent history - if you know where to look
|
||||||
|
Walking through downtown Prague today it's hard to believe that the city was, fairly recently, the scene of a revolution involving several hundred thousand people. If you know where to look revolution is just around the corner... THE "MASAKR" Národní třída 16 (National Avenue) Czechoslovakia's hard-line Communist regime looked fairly solid until the night of Friday, November 17, 1989. The Communist-approved students' union had organized a demonstration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a student protest against the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia. Presumably uncomfortable about the parallels between that protest and the current political situation, riot police were sent to stop the students before they reached Wenceslas Square. When the students refused to disperse a tense stand-off followed. In the spirit of non-violent resistance, some protesters passed flowers to the police. Suddenly, without warning, the riot police attacked, injuring hundreds of students. Rumors that one student had died later proved to be untrue, but the events of November 17th became known as the Masakr (Massacre). Today, underneath the arches at the corner of Národní třída and Mikulandská street, a bronze sculpture commemorates the event. Persistent rumors claim that the events of the Velvet Revolution, including the Masakr, were engineered by KGB agents working for Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. According to the story, Gorbachev was attempting to force a thaw in the Czechoslovak regime, in line with his own reforms, but that things rapidly got out of hand. If that story isn't true, the riot police's actions were a spectacular misjudgment, gaining mass support for a dissident movement that had previously operated largely in the shadows. THE BIRTH OF CIVIC FORUM Činoherní klub theatre, Ve Smečkách 26 Hidden away on one of the narrow side streets leading off Wenceslas Square, the Činoherní klub's shabby looking exterior conceals one of the Czech Republic's most respected theaters. The theatre is best known, however, for its key role in the Velvet Revolution. Following the Masakr, theatres across Czechoslovakia canceled their scheduled performances and instead held public discussions. Civic Forum, a broad-based group aiming to give a voice to the regime's opponents was formed here on Sunday, November 19th. Led by playwright and prominent dissident Vaclav Havel, the group would prove to be the driving force behind the Velvet Revolution. Civic Forum demanded the resignation of the Communist government, the release of political prisoners of conscience, and an investigation into the November 17th Masakr. Havel called a two-hour general strike for Monday, November 27th if these demands weren't met. THE MASS DEMONSTRATIONS Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) Prague's main square became the focal point of the Velvet Revolution. From Saturday, November 18th onwards, hundreds of thousands of people took to the square to protest against the Masakr in particular and the regime in general. Three places on the square have particular significance: The Wenceslas Monument The statue of St. Wenceslas at the top of the square, near the National Museum, is a traditional gathering place. Throughout the two weeks that toppled communism, the monument was decorated with flags, posters and political slogans. Memorial to the Victims of Communism During the Velvet Revolution, protesters turned an area just below the Wenceslas Monument into a shrine to the victims of the communist regime. In January 1969, in protest at the ongoing Soviet occupation, Czech student Jan Palach set himself alight here. Another student, Jan Zajíc, set himself alight on the same spot the following month. Today, there is a permanent memorial to the victims of Communism, featuring photos of Palach and Zajíc. The Melantrich Balcony, Václavské náměstí 36 The building that once housed the Melantrich publishing house and the Socialist Party newspaper, Svobodné slovo, provided a vantage point from which Vaclav Havel and other dissident leaders could address the crowds on Wenceslas Square. (The building now houses a branch of Marks & Spencer.) It was here, for instance, that Alexandr Dubček, architect of 1968's reformist Prague Spring, emerged from decades of enforced obscurity to appear alongside Havel. THE CENTER OF OPERATIONS Adria Palác, Jungmannovo náměstí After forming at the Činoherní klub, Civic Forum made another theater their home. The Laterna magika (Magic Lantern), housed in the basement of the attractive Adria Palác building, became the movement's center of operations during the hectic two weeks leading up to the fall of Communism. Here, Civic Forum held daily press conferences and discussed strategy during the days of the Velvet Revolution. THE BEGINNING OF THE END Letenská pláň (Letna Plain), Prague 7 The Velvet Revolution's mass demonstrations culminated in enormous gatherings at this large park overlooking Prague's Old Town. On the weekend of November 25th-26th, 1989, nearly 750,000 people attended demonstrations held here. Monday, November 27th's general strike, observed by 80 percent of the country's workforce, led communist Prime Minister Ladislav Adamec to begin negotiations with Civic Forum. Civic Forum presented Adamec with a list of demands that were approved by the Communist parliament on November 29th, in the ugly modernist building at the top of Wenceslas Square that now houses Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. It was the beginning of the end for the communist regime, and on December 11th, Václav Havel was named President of Czechoslovakia. |
Article added on Tue 18th Mar, 2003 [last updated Tue 27th Mar, 2007]Share this page 
|
| COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE | ||
| READ ALL ZINE ARTICLES MORE ZINE ARTICLES |
|
The Coral - The Best Band You Wished You Knew About by Oliver White British Rock Group Added on Tue 14th Dec, 2010 (Last updated Tue 14th Dec, 2010) |
|
US Voter Registration - 2010 Midterm Elections by Julia Bryan Art Schankler Interview Added on Thu 7th Oct, 2010 (Last updated Thu 7th Oct, 2010) |
|
Ride Planet Earth's Kim Nguyen in Prague by Irene Carpintero Epic Bike Ride Added on Tue 10th Nov, 2009 (Last updated Tue 10th Nov, 2009) |
|
A Counterpoint to the Claim of Apartheid Conditions for Czech Roma by Foreign Religious Leaders by Oliver White Oliver White responds to Rajan Zed & Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich's recent press releases urging Pope Benedict XVI to highlight 'Roma apartheid' Added on Tue 27th Oct, 2009 (Last updated Tue 27th Oct, 2009) |
|
Hindus & Jews Disappointed With Pope for Ignoring Roma Apartheid by Rajan Zed & Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich Press Release Added on Thu 1st Oct, 2009 |
|
Hindus & Jews Pinning Hopes on Pope for Highlighting Roma Apartheid in Czech Republic by Rajan Zed & Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich Press Release Added on Tue 22nd Sep, 2009 (Last updated Tue 22nd Sep, 2009) |
|
Provokator Tiki Live Lizard Lounge by Provokator Provokator Press Release Added on Fri 18th Sep, 2009 |
|
Brunch at Orange Bar by Steve Smith & Damien Mitchell New Morning Menus at Old Town Hangout Added on Thu 5th Feb, 2009 (Last updated Mon 16th Feb, 2009) |
|
Steve's Guide to Eating Sushi by Steve Smith PTV guide to eating Sushi Added on Wed 4th Feb, 2009 (Last updated Mon 16th Feb, 2009) |
|
Neo-Nazis Emerge From the Shadows by Aisha Gawad Extremists Seek Exposure Added on Thu 8th May, 2008 (Last updated Tue 20th May, 2008) |
|
Kosovo - How I See It by Dean Bedford Backing Independence is a 'Huge Mistake' Added on Tue 1st Apr, 2008 (Last updated Wed 22nd Oct, 2008) |
|
The Problem With Nazis by Oliver White Freedom of Expression and the Politics of Hate Added on Wed 6th Feb, 2008 (Last updated Tue 11th Mar, 2008) |
|
Drunk but Not Delinquent by Katherine Bernard Czech Teens & Alcohol Added on Thu 24th Jan, 2008 (Last updated Mon 28th Jan, 2008) |
|
Breaking a Vicious Cycle by Casey Dean With the Carbusters Added on Wed 28th Nov, 2007 (Last updated Mon 3rd Dec, 2007) |
|
The Czech Mentality - Part 3 - Other Observations by Ondřej Vykydal Some Closing Comments Added on Wed 19th Sep, 2007 (Last updated Tue 9th Oct, 2007) |
| READ ALL ZINE ARTICLES |
Galeria Harfa
The biggest shopping & administration mall in Prague
Ristorante Soave
La cucina italiana
Century 21
World Leader in Real Estate
MORE ARTICLES
Prague TV Home | Contact | About | FAQ | Site Map | Search | Advertise | Privacy | Terms of Service
Prague TV is a Real Time Production. ©2012 All rights reserved.
