Every post-communist country has people who fought for freedom during totalitarian rule. Our reporter in the Czech Republic brings us a story of a woman whos helping the next generation understand what it was like living under communism.
This could any common old farm house in the highlands of the Czech Republic. But coming inside we get the chance to meet an interesting woman living there. Her great life experiences have led her to a project she is now working on. But the whole story starts in her childhood.
[Lida Homolova, Project 20 Years of Freedom]: female,Czech
I grew up in a communist family, my dad was a very passionate communist and as every child, I also believed in my parents and school, that everything they say and do is good for me.
But then the year 1968 came and so did the Russian soldiers. As a teenager, that was the first time Lida could see the true nature of communism.
[Lida Homolova, Project 20 Years of Freedom]: female,Czech
We were so afraid. In the evening there were Russian tanks passing through our town and our small family house was shaking from it. Many people were shot at this time in my town.
In 1981 Lida was taken for interrogation with her one and half year old son because of having illegal books and materials in their house.
[Lida Homolova, Project 20 Years of Freedom]: female,Czech
They came and woke us up before 6 am. They didnt explain anything, just that we have to go with them. I couldnt take anything with us, not even food for my son. Every storey in the police building had iron bars which the police officer locked behind us. I thought we will never get out of this place again.
During that time period she was in contact with many interesting people, who in the darkness of communism, fought for freedom.
Now living freely once again in a democratic country, shes reconnected with those people. Together they created the project 20 Years of Freedom, which includes talk shows, art exhibitions, and musical performances. With a focus on students, they want the new generation meet and listen to the brave people who bravely stood up against communism.
[Jaroslav Erik Fric, Poet]:male, Czech
I spent my whole life during the totality working in a pub, because I like them but also because nobody racketed me there, I didnt have to attend the communist meetings. I just worked hard, and after work I copied and distributed some illegal materials and books.
Students can also meet with former chief editor of a forbidden culture magazine Okno, Frantisek Starek. He told the students how difficult and dangerous was to produce it, as well as his experience being arrested many times.
And how do all Lidas efforts rate among students and lecturers.
[Lenka Navratilova, Student]:female,Czech
I think it is important for the students to hear about it. I myself didnt grow up in communism, I dont have the experience, so I really need hear that information from the people who were persecuted by the regime.
[Frantisek Starek, The Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes]: male,Czech
During the communist rule, Lida was already a freedom island, so Im not surprised that now in democracy she is involved with the cultural movement in this area.
Now the movement is set up, Lida is starting to think of another project.
This is Vladka Maskova, NTD, Czech Republic.
Vladka Maskova
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Totalitarian Lesson for Czech Studentsby NTDTV1,096 views
Luckily the Czech people have peacefully ended the Socialist/communist occupation from the Soviet Union within the Warsaw-pact.
Communism is a failed ideology.
It never worked, and it will never work.
stap0510 7 months ago
you dirty neo-nazis thugs, you need another Prague 68
COMMUNISTPHILOSOPHY 7 months ago
Communism is the way forward but it has to be done more freely.
bedsidelee 7 months ago