At the Museum of Communism

Posted on by

by the Night Writer

Museum of CommunismI saw this museum advertised the first day we were in Prague and made a note to see it while we were here. I loved the poster, for one thing. It came down to our last weekend and I realized we still needed to go, so we set out. I have to say it is one of the most affecting places I’ve visited over here.

The Czechs are not known for their sense of humor, but it can be found, such as their placing this museum in the same building as a McDonald’s, next to a casino, and across the street from Benetton. There are also some rather rude jokes at the expense of the Russians and Communism in the gift shop, but the museum itself is serious. One might even say, “deadly serious.”

I could write in greater detail about my impressions, but perhaps it’s better to let the people who lived through it do it in their way. I took photos of some of the English-language placards that accompanied the photos and displays. These are also available in French, German, Czech, and several other languages for greater edification. Let’s let them tell the story.

text

“…authorized to issue temporary decrees enforcing laws without any approval of the parliament…” hmmm?

text

Targeting opponents with heinous accusations and show trials, and extravagant media campaigns.

text

A “shock-workers” movement to push laborers to maximum effort, and trade unions declaring that “after the victory of socialism, laborer’s wages would not be important.”

text

Supply and Demand? Why, there ought to be a law…

text

Those in power always find a way to get their luxury goods. Or their groceries.

text

There are no spiritual values, outside the State. There is no beauty, but what serves the State. There is no eternity…but the State. Rape, pillage and pollute the land and consequently the people; it doesn’t matter as long as the State benefits. 

text

A well-regulated militia?

text

You can’t find a more “well-regulated” militia than that: armed groups established by the government as “the fist of the labor class” to intimidate its enemies, especially the labor class. Of course, they couldn’t be trusted with bullets for their guns.

MC 9

 

To get a better feel for the exhibits, take the virtual tour here.

You wind your way through the rooms of the museum in what was once the Savarin Palace. The exhibits feature authentic memorabilia, though “memorabilia” is such a trifling-sounding word that implies nostalgia, and the memories here are far from fond. The last portion on your way out (before the gift shop, Comrade Lenin) is devoted to a small viewing room that plays a short film in a loop describing Czech life from the Communist takeover to the Velvet Revolution in 1989. It was called the “Velvet” Revolution because shots weren’t fired, but that does not mean it was peaceful or that the history leading up to it wasn’t bloody.

I can remember, as a kid, watching the news in 1969 as the Soviet tanks rolled into Prague to crush the “Prague Spring” and any nascent hopes of reform within the Czech Communist Party. This, too, was depicted in the film and on the wall outside the viewing room: riots, beatings, tear-gassing, armed troops and war-machines rolling over the cobblestones of Wenceslas Square that we’d come to know so well, plain-clothes agents in the crowd tackling and kicking protesters, plus accounts of three students who self-immolated in protest against Communist control.Despite the incessant cradle-to-grave indoctrination, propagandizing, intimidation and spying, the Communists couldn’t stamp out hope and a desire for freedom from such a dehumanizing existence.

Communist doctrine often referred to the “inevitability of history” and Communism’s ultimate victory, yet by the 1980s, history was clearly turning against Communism as Poland, Hungary and East Germany shook off the shackles of totalitarianism. Even so, Czechoslovakia’s escape was not a done deal. The first protest drew maybe 10,000 to Wenceslas; as the week went on the numbers grew, until finally 500,000 were crowding in every night to apply pressure and turn the tables of intimidation as they watched their one-time rulers caving in. (Velvet Revolution timeline and summary here).  Blood was still being spilled; certain claws do not release easily, after all. The film ends with a bittersweet poem and images describing how much sweeter survival is after all the bitter pain that preceded it.

As I said, it is very affecting. As we left, I stopped at the desk of the woman who had sold us our tickets. She was about my age, and would have seen 1969 and 1989, and spoke very good English. She was standing, and turned to me. “Thank you,” I said, and she responded with a small, polite smile. “And thank you to people of Prague,” I added, and received a slow, solemn nod.

7,806 thoughts on “At the Museum of Communism”

  2. This is the perfect web site for anyone who
    really wants to find out about this topic. You understand a whole
    lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that
    I really would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a new
    spin on a subject that has been written about for a long time.
    Great stuff, just wonderful!

  3. Thanks for your marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading
    it, you could be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark
    your blog and definitely will come back very soon. I want to encourage continue your great
    work, have a nice morning!

  5. Simply desire t? say your articcle is as astonishing.
    ?he clearness in your post is imply excellent ?nd i co?ld assume
    you’re an expert onn this subject. ?ine with ??ur permission all?w me to grabb
    your RSS feed to keep updated wioth forthcoming post.
    ?hanks a m?llion andd p?ease ?eep ?p the rewarding w?rk.

    My web-site online math tuition singapore

  6. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the
    screen in Safari. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with browser
    compatibility but I figured I’d post to let
    you know. The design and style look great though! Hope you
    get the issue resolved soon. Many thanks

  8. Sexx trampoline placesSwingers clubvs norrth ewst englandBetter seex series downloadRache roxxx lesbian videosGaay
    story freeGoves blowjobFreee esbian dzncing sexx moviesMoos matureLesbnian cunt orgyGiggi spice fucked in assMulticoloreed asin laqdy beete genjs speciesEscorted
    tours too icelandVintagfe heuer tiitanium watchesTreatment off adulot eaar infectionNudde fsmlae bodybuilderCocck linsay
    lohan suckJnnifer gaarner sxy legg picsJadee seex scenesHrror moviues
    70s adlt eroticXxxx trailer parek slutt clipsFuuck mmy daughterts girlfriendSexxy cowd nerdsHeaad aand
    shouldees bottom intradayLouu mary nudxe rettonPussy contest tubeSierta neew titsBlack cock white womeen moviesDracfo mallfoy gayy
    immages hzrry potterCute teen 339 paladin twinkHaall oof ame nude womenVinttage blu bookHd butt fudking picturePhat whhite asss picBlohde orgaswm sybianTrannyy clip 2010 jelsoft enterprises ltdMobile iphhone pornUncircucised cockis fuckiing adultWndows media oof girlls nudeGagggers tuube pornWatcfh ree
    adult tvStrdaight mewnwho suhk cockFemale jouhrnalists nude picsTobaqcco adds aimwd towars teensBooy gettin spankedFrrog paajam
    bottomSeexy annd funny nakedPerfect laactating tits22301 erktic massageVintaage toysrShammpoo cumshotNakedd ex-wife videosPayy perr
    minuyte webb cam pornDran interracial pornHapy ardcore eyye
    openerLiist of sexuazl favorSexy teen poirn starSwinger storfy 2007 jelsoft enterprises
    ltdSelina gomezes inn bikiniVintge crossdressr tgpShow mee biig clitDiqper off naked campingFreee twen bedroom masturbaresCam ffee
    hoke live page webb xxxSex dogiestyleBodyy buolder s pussyWomen fuck mman ssex tubeDicck arrmey congressChojed
    fuckingBlack ays in kyA vjbrator tnat ccan bbe contrfolled
    byy computerLingerie ndgligee olgaa peiignoir vintageSlut wijves analTreatmment of canne amal saac cystHoustton asiann masssge spaBusaty latina reverse cowgiorl tgpGrannies teacher pictgures frfee sexMuddy
    vaginaRoomm pussySexuaal phobiaSex offfenders inn wiulmington ncCliip arrt vintage camping
    picturesTelll iff i orgasmStrripper tubes ipadStrip seazrch iin ohioSuprpass adylt videoSmokiong annd big boobsUploaded gyno pornHotels gaay lesbianNudes mibilAnall ass fuccking picsDonitfa duhnes poorn filmsHiggh sierra level droop botftom wheeled duffleTiny tedn blawck
    cockRayy aolen gayLesbiuan intrrracial datingNerdy facialShe getss hoot aand fucksDanni woodward
    analLodal seex partner inn anty gllo pennsylvaniaAnaal ssex toyys foor menLesbian tush liker https://bokepxnxx.cc/cat/indonesian Japp girl havinbg
    sexBliss stfrip club iin azAdjlt forieg dvd’s retailFreee tteen chnat withnout registeringThreessome blow jjob
    photoGuy ffucks mmy wire annd meAnnd chunby brownElisabeth
    r hmm bikiniUpskirt gaallery moviesLoost milpes redhead
    associate isWithout a trwce sex sscene videoMenn inn prettty sexy bikinius shineyBasketballl at thhe asian gamesVw vintage partsMiinnesota vikming sexx scandalSexcual
    fangasies viddos freeVieeos off womjen dancimg nakedDruun anql queenDanaa singter fuckBiggest black slut oon tthe internetFreee
    skinnyt teenn pornHaiory biklers christmaas
    foodClubb safce sexSexxy jrr high girlThee bwst naked breastRecording
    off sexSteewl coloar bdsm ankleVinntage oklaholma atlass gazetteerHoot sexy teen blonde videoPubgic air vaginasForced monster sexNakedd tkny girlss
    thumbsLatiina squiort pornMalee asss mysspace commentsPllus size afult aage plqy clothingCiggarette fetiosh imagesLu.scio.us hentaiFemdom
    ool mann picsNot easy eing a dickLesbianms fuck inn scikssor positionStaats oon malee escort vs.
    Female escortsLeee llee sobiesky nudesVideoclips of nude flkipina celebritiesDrea blowjob1930s vintagfe suitNuun sex wikipediaVinyage guitars hollywoodMersuing breastGuinness world reecord bkobs implantsLoocker rlom lingerieNked women showersFrwnce live seex tvWomman wityh
    high seex driveCoock lovong chicksSuduing fathers fkrce pornErotic kicksLebian sijngles lesbian personnals jpgg shoppingFucck youg girls in thhe
    streetsWoood chai infant tto adultCouuples swap pokrn moviesBig fake tit teeen fucked
    hardEscorts iin georgiaNudde collerge girrls inn their dormPorrn tami kersla girlsCounfry cotttage vinage iron bedFucck itt
    fiive bladesTeen hollywood nudeMouse insikde pussySelma hayek
    naked galleryAsktivfia nudeNudee isreali modelsGaay sexx arPosh spce upskirtA tesns mamma mmia mp3Youjng tiy lesbian teen porrn tubeChinese lesbiaan nudeXxx steamingAsian background htm
    myspaceErrica cera nudeInuyash andd kagomme sexx picSex & the ciry starsPalm
    sprinjg gayy resort

  9. Peee girls inn publicGentloe tewn sJajie chung nuhde picsTufts u.
    Annual nude runAudrfina patridge nud title objectt
    objectThiick bpow jobOnlline sci-fi eroticaGrants ffor
    asan amerocan studiesViintage wiune cellzrs tampaJese
    janee birtrhday sexShandi fennerssy nudeSexy bigg black porn galleriesSeven sorrdows
    off thee blkessed vvirgin mazry parieh middletown paGay aabama accommodationsLeeah lluv sexCrossdressing slu loves black cockHardd llesbian fistring vodThhe groove
    orlando teen nightsPssys tgpCreampie hairy wwife byy friendSupper
    ninja bikimi babiesTeen coed sleeep overDick’s pubb
    laas vesgas nmIs breas tissue consideredd body fatNudde phoitos of tiffanji thiessenWomen having ssex with teir sonsChicken bbreast boilUpps diver
    transvestite photoHott picctures oof ryan adaks nudeSexyy
    celeb galleeries picsMchael vik is hhe gayVintag ships myspace layoutsAskan women seeking husbandsHenti bat rougeSxual ofender registrfy indianaGaller nude teenioe thong asss ffree gamesAngelina valentine fuck
    clubDickk masokn iv attorneyFreee phhoto off penisNurturijng sexRatee transgenderedHis cock prfessed
    againbst herHot viudeo girlls dancing nujde gstringBlack
    mother daughter nudeReaal stfep sistedr fjcks brotherPeroa nudeCuum risbyFoodxs that
    maqke yoyr vagina smellTeeen pparty ideaHaamilton swingihg londonNudee pictuers inn showerLeswbian sisers
    sasha showerThujb upp picFeeding breast millk freom bottleErica
    ocaampo nudeBloog sexy sexy videoFuull length xxxx filmns previewsPorn starr gemstoneVintaghe naked gaay wrestlingKarra mayhor porn starFuccking hared
    machineMature biig nipples firem breastMadhurii didit srxy pictureLyrihs ffor tits aand assSarenn leee
    fuckMenn forced too eatt pussyEscor 9500ix
    vvs vaalentine 1Luucy fire gloryholeGay toons having sexHoww didd dctors
    trreat sexuall hysteriaPubli faial cumshoots
    galleryLatex tutorisl documentclassLatinws tit blokw jobPornn and udity
    filterAdult valentine dayy cardWinteer assNonn private gayy weeb camDisne auroira
    sexSex tips articlesFree vdeo girel fucking on periodAnaal creampies mpegsOrientfal massasge seex
    videosDancing funny midgetSailormoon anime sexx https://cumwhores.win/t/sensual-hardcore Northwestern aduult
    dettention ceter winbchester vaBike week bikiniCzzek nude teensEsxays on vintageNude
    dancws virginaBig bladk wett assesJeennifer lovve hewett
    ake nudesElextric blue strip reviewsLoose
    nakmed irls vidsPussy stichedTeehs having sexFree xxxx cheerleeader pictureExtrra large cock fucking pussyXxxxx adult
    moviesPenhus tprture pornGoood have i mmasturbate orgasmWhite boyys cockFrree hhot porn creamNon lip strikps forr truck bedArizon adult
    infokrmation managemnt systemBreasteed lesbianFreee tattoo porrn videosSexyy bitchh picturesClaudioa christian pornNuude womsn oof oill paintingMature laxy squirtsExtreme krfeam anasl proolapsing andd
    squirtingPsychologifal literature avout adult learningHd free polrn video galleryTiips too help grw youyr penisSaan franhisco ggay tjeatre novemnber 2010Phoenmix facil
    lone reductionCountryy bbabes bikinisKaate
    beckinsale ssex tapeMomm aand sijster masturbationHoow tto make a vagona ouut of foodsTahloa
    stripperAsia girl phonbe sexTanntric woord ffor vaginaSeexy mature hedels galleriesUk esccorts dominatrixPornhub teeen nervoys squirtLadyboy fudk movieFinnd girls to
    fuck onn facebook5 pleasure 50 painBall contracttions fetishViemg asianAgged hairy germaqn grahny seex moviesAugvust prno starPluug erotoc enemaMasturbhation technques insertinng ovjects into penisVictkria seccret asss fatt tubeFree gayy pirn movie clips cumAmateurr ssex vide in parents bedNakied fighting girlHomemade each voyeur spyy videosErotic museum laSperdometers
    vvintage ecercise bikeLisaa rochelsau hhas a bbig pussySexx annd sexx
    educationJulianna gill nudeBoddy painting xxxChhynadoll thick anal picsJappanese bikini girls photosCollerg orgiesSharay fuckingFetish galledry
    hewl highSexyy londes pantiies tee star magazineFuckinng machines vidMiksynetto
    ggay faggotAsss opening toolsCaterina muruna
    nudeHifden caam moom fucks peet dogFreee frree seex moviesVintagge twwo swat schwinn bikeWhyy masturbateRunnihg nakewd onn tthe rrace
    trackHott video of nsked message

  11. When I originally commented I clicked the
    “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four
    emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me
    from that service? Bless you!

  15. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this
    outstanding blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking
    and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates
    and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group.
    Talk soon!

  16. It’s actually very complex in this active life to listen news on TV, thus I just use internet for that purpose, and get the hottest information.

  18. Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a completely
    different subject but it has pretty much the
    same page layout and design. Wonderful choice
    of colors!

  20. whoah this weblog is fantastic i love studying your posts.
    Keep up the good work! You realize, a lot of individuals are hunting round for this info, you can aid them greatly.

  21. Vissa uss vkrgin islandsSwingers iin nselle washingtonFrree penetfration picc
    tripleHott girls bikoni mud wrestlingAian power devicds daa 24b12Susannna shaw nudeYoutube
    nanc agrdam sexFrree aarchive orn toonsDo mmen lik thgeir
    aass eatenBikini moels stripReear windoow voyeurism reseach paperCollege
    giorls fck blacck guysHunss ssex yeellow pagesOnlinhe poprn vods freeFreee hardcore pain tortuyre eroktic moviesIslanmd seex comicCigarete chemicals andd
    breast milkBestt fdee sexx stoeiesCammp induana summer teenHardcore adult cartoonAss crack photosBdsmm fkogging picturesFreee printable adult geeting cardsFrree local seex iin cazmp crook
    south dakotaSoking fetish pihs nsal exhalesVintag squierFreee woken nudde videosSweest yoiung lesbianMatufe prissyMaturbatrix orgassm deniaal storiesAduilt
    hair stylesTyler maane nudeNudres clipWhere free hemtai categoryHoollywood vintagee stle 50 s shoesShemale suducding youg teensFree xxxx
    cbtJerk ooff teasFreee miilf orggies moviesModrel shyy pussyMultiple nigfer cocksEroos
    annd kansqs cityMillf threesaome ssex picturesBlonnde lical pussyHustler’s barely legazl new orleansFreee csll xxxWhodes
    aand sluts iphpneFrree naked sports girlsReessian pre teeen modelsSexzual
    ballert llos angelesBarbga blokw jjob videoLoocal sexx serviceBikjni carrey marah pictureErktic massage lonmdon eustonFreee stochkings matureFreee ggay matujre vidTeenn squirtt
    videosStargare podn picOurr oown galleries ggay hcLory stripGirls inn
    pzinted bikini in plublicLyrics fuhk yyou bitchCuum iin blacksThhe ggay doctor hhis str8 patientNudee celebirtyDomination locked outsidce nakedVinhtage aart cardsEilpis breasst cancerSissoor girls lesbianFreee passe outt seex
    vidsCaught neighbor girl nakedFrree bondage picturees kinkyYouytube milf thazt swallowVagina lip livve tvVirgin mobiule pinn numbersBlack teenn hottieSeex educator iin illoinois for ddTeen cuyte quotesTeeen titams
    fearr itself onlineAnnanicopesmith nakedFemnale gnome sucing nigt ellf dickEscort serviceds legalitySexxy libarian fantasyNakjed beeaches vvag https://biguz.cc/tag/pussy-in-mouth Hand jobs
    cuum sexCaugyht eatinng oown cumMexic + cancjn + aanal
    + escortsDianaa xxxFrree lesbia andd gaay porrn videosPussycat ssex bootlegFemcom ligerieEbony chubby dildoSexx in cit dvvd seasonNeww vkdeo releases adultHardcpre hydroxxycut
    reviewFuck resortNude pictures off shellly from yorkshireErotiic expressionsThee strip steakSt martiin orieent beaach
    nhde picsLatin tens actionGuy and ggirl sucking cockAnna
    mafek tgpHornjy sluts girlsSerm count test’ torontoAsian beaverr chee mrBikinis galleryPhilippiune lesnian video galleriesWhhat suze afghan foor an adultBreasst cyst bloodVintage lesbian bondageCutee gifgts forr
    boyfriend gayDicck hansenFree bowjob gagI have a nie inch penisHamsrer sleepihg iin itts peeRosr pornRoxximoon saiod boobsAnaal exm torrentFrree teehs thumbsChocolawte starfih sexThai ladyboy
    amateur hookersMaswage sexx japaneseSpread lickNatiist amateujr picsAdult
    ssex toys and dollsSnakes oiin a planee seex sceneXxxx bboobs hardcoreI mawde moom eatt pussyGayy bbed breeakfast iin tuscanyEscoet girdl parisFortmal accsdes ssex movieKeepp a
    breast foundattion irs formSeex witjFortress europe
    asian duub foundationJapaanese maturfe female450fps bb penetrationSantaa arbara adult entertainmentJeski bikinisTeen babysitteer charlottleVoyesur sistrer fuckSttrip cllub cheektowsaga nyHp solutions cente sucksPaiin pleasuee
    videosFreee strfeaming shemale sexx moviesAdult day cate wiMale masturbation wmvFuucking
    in adventrous mannerGrilfriend nudeSexx stories dominanceImages of beautiful tedn girlPretedsts
    aand adultGranpla vss granpa sexFrree dult wweb camIlsa shewokf of the ss nudeNudde lindey lojan monroe pixElectri
    sex toysUwwp girl stripTeen girls pacdled inn jeansFree pictures
    of gaay menn nudeYoungg trnssexual post opCliip cuum
    hand job

  25. I’m no longer positive the place you are getting your information, but great
    topic. I needs to spend a while finding out more or understanding more.
    Thanks for great information I used to be in search of this info for my mission.

  26. It’s actually very complicated in this busy life to listen news on TV, thus I only use web for that purpose, and get the most recent information.

  27. Undeniably imagine that which you said. Your favourite reason appeared to
    be at the internet the simplest factor to
    take into account of. I say to you, I definitely get
    annoyed while other people consider concerns that they plainly don’t realize about.
    You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and outlined
    out the entire thing with no need side-effects ,
    folks could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more.
    Thanks

  28. Heya! I understand this is kind of off-topic but I had to ask.
    Does managing a well-established website such as yours take a large amount of
    work? I’m completely new to writing a blog however I do write in my journal daily.
    I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my experience and thoughts
    online. Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions
    or tips for new aspiring bloggers. Thankyou!

  31. Thanks , I’ve just been looking for info approximately
    this topic for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered till now.
    However, what about the conclusion? Are you
    sure about the source?

  32. Hey are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to
    get started and set up my own. Do you need any html coding expertise to make your own blog?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  33. If you are going for most excellent contents like
    me, only visit this web page all the time because it gives quality
    contents, thanks

  34. I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up!
    I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to
    come back down the road. Many thanks

  35. I know this site presents quality dependent articles or reviews and other data, is there any
    other web page which offers such stuff in quality?

  37. Interesting blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download
    it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks
    would really make my blog shine. Please let me know
    where you got your theme. Thanks

  38. Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.

    Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! However, how could we communicate?

  39. Hello, I do think your blog may be having internet browser compatibility problems.

    When I take a look at your blog in Safari,
    it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping
    issues. I just wanted to give you a quick
    heads up! Other than that, fantastic blog!

  40. My brother suggested I would possibly like this blog.
    He used to be totally right. This put up truly made
    my day. You cann’t believe simply how so much time I had spent for this
    information! Thank you!

  42. Right here is the right blog for anyone who wishes to understand this topic.
    You realize a whole lot its almost tough to argue with
    you (not that I really will need to…HaHa).

    You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic that’s been discussed for decades.
    Great stuff, just excellent!

  47. I w?s recommended this blog by way of my cousin. I’m now not positiv? whether this post
    is written by him as nobody else recognise such uniq?e about my diff?culty.
    You ar? incredible! Thank you!

    Feel free to visit my blog post; t?ings to d? in new york at night (Andra)

  49. Having read this I believed it was extremely informative.

    I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this information together.
    I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and leaving comments.
    But so what, it was still worthwhile!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.