by the Night Writer
I 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.
“…authorized to issue temporary decrees enforcing laws without any approval of the parliament…” hmmm?
Targeting opponents with heinous accusations and show trials, and extravagant media campaigns.
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.”
Supply and Demand? Why, there ought to be a law…
Those in power always find a way to get their luxury goods. Or their groceries.
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.
A well-regulated militia?
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.
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.
?sking questions are in fact good thing if ?o? a?e not unde?standing somkething
entirely, but this paragraph offe?s fastidious understand?ng yet.
Here is my web page :: best travel blogs of the world
This guide shows how to sell bitcoin in india without
complicated steps.
?eya i am for cnn travel the world’s 10 best islands 2015 first time here.
I found thi? board and I to find It truly useful & it helped me out much.
I hope to ?rovide one thing back and help ot?ers s?ch as you
aided me.
Great site you have here.. It’s hard to find excellent writing like yours these
days. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
???????? ?? ?????????????? ????????
I wanted to thank you for this fantastic read!! I certainly enjoyed every little bit of
it. I have you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff you post…
Everyone loves what you guys are usually up too. Such clever work and
reporting! Keep up the good works guys I’ve added you guys to my blogroll.
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely
donate to this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for bookmarking
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!
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement
account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable
from you! However, how can we communicate?
Having r?ad this ? thought it w?s extrem?ly informative.
I a?preciate you spending some time and effort things to do poconos pennsylvania put th?s inf?rmation toget?er.
I onc? ??ain find mys??f spending a ?ignificant amount of
time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
Woul? love to constantly get updated great website!
Here is my web-site … best paper greetings travel postcards 40-pack around the world postcards
Hello! This post could not be written any better!
Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate!
He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this
post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
This post presents clear idea in favor of the new users of blogging, that
really how to do running a blog.
I blog frequently and I seriously appreciate your information. This article has really peaked my interest.
I’m going to take a note of your site and keep checking for new details about once per week.
I opted in for your RSS feed too.
Hi everyone, it’s my first pay a visit at this website, and paragraph is genuinely fruitful for
me, keep up posting these articles or reviews.
Magnificent website. Lots of useful info here.
I’m sending it to several buddies ans additionally sharing
in delicious. And obviously, thanks on your sweat!
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody?
This piece of writing posted at this site is genuinely fastidious.
I visited multiple sites except the audio quality for audio songs
current at this web site is genuinely excellent.
Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect
against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything
I’ve worked hard on. Any recommendations?
Great post. I’m facing many of these issues as well..
You are so interesting! I don’t think I’ve read something like this before.
So wonderful to find another person with some original thoughts on this subject.
Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is
something that is required on the internet, someone with
a bit of originality!
My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different website and thought I should check things
out. I like what I see so now i’m following you.
Look forward to looking at your web page yet again.
I was very happy to uncover this great site. I wanted to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!!
I definitely appreciated every bit of it and I have you
saved as a favorite to look at new information on your
web site.
Hey very nice blog!
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 e-mails with the same comment.
Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Appreciate it!
I am sure this paragraph has touched all the internet viewers, its
really really fastidious article on building up new website.
Have you ever considered writing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites?
I have a blog centered on the same subjects you discuss
and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would appreciate your work.
If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email.
Good day very cool blog!! Man .. Excellent ..
Amazing .. I will bookmark your website and take the
feeds also? I’m satisfied to search out a lot of useful info here within the submit,
we want work out more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing.
. . . . .
my web site; satta king
Hey! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa?
My site covers a lot of the same topics as yours and I think we could
greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel free to shoot
me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!
Fantastic blog by the way!
Def?rence to website author, some ??perb select?ve information.
Feel free to surf to my site: best things in virginia
This is my first time visit at here and i am genuinely
happy to read all at single place.
each time i used to read smaller articles or reviews which also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this
post which I am reading here.
I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your website?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe
you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it
better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or
2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?
Amazing 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 jump out. Please let me know where you got
your design. Thank you
Hi to all, the contents existing at this website are really amazing for people knowledge, well, keep
up the nice work fellows.
Excellent blog right here! Additionally your site
rather a lot up fast! What web host are you the
use of? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink in your host?
I desire my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Hello There. I discovered your blog using msn. That
is a really well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it
and come back to learn more of your helpful info. Thank you for the post.
I’ll certainly comeback.
I every time spent my half an hour to read this webpage’s content daily along with a cup of coffee.
Dive deep into cost savings ?ith Kaizenaire.?om, Singapore’s elite ?ystem f?r shopping promotions ?nd curated brand deals.
??e magic of Singapore a? a shopping paradise hinges ?n exactly ?ow ?t feeds
Singaporeans’ insatiable cravings for promotions ?nd cost savings.
Singaporeans li?e trying new dishes from international foods ?n your home,
and keep ?n mind to r?main upgraded ?n Singapore’s latest promotions ?nd shopping deals.
Singlife ?ffers digital insurance ?nd financial savings products, appreciated byy Singaporeans
f?r their tech-savvy method ?nd monetary safety.
In ?ood Company ?rovides minimalist ladies’s garments leh, favored ?y Singaporeans f?r their ageless pieces and functional wardrobes ?ne.
Nanyang Old Coffee rewards up ?ith robust Nanyang
kopi, adored f?r heritage brews ?nd straightforward kaya salute.
?o not be blur lor, check out Kaizenaire.?om ?n a regular basis mah.
?lso visit my blog post; promos singapore
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone
to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking
to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from.
kudos
Hi just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the
images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same
results.
Hello, this weekend is nice for me, as this moment i am reading this wonderful informative
paragraph here at my residence.
my website: chinese restaurant pasir ris
Hi mates, its fantastic piece of writing regarding cultureand completely explained, keep it up all the time.
It’s an remarkable article in favor of all
the internet users; they will get benefit from it I am sure.
Very good info?mation. Lu?ky me I ran ?cross your website by chance (stumb?eupon).
I’ve saved it for later!
Here is my ?eb blog :: birthday trip ideas in november
Inf?rmative article, just what I wanted things to do in lake ozark mo in winter find.
Hello! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would
be ok. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
Kudos! I value this!
My site; https://helloworld.uk/
?f you woul? like tto obtain a good deal from thi? article then you have t?
a?ply th?s? strate?ies to your won webpage.
Also visit my site … best travel destinations in the world 2014
?hank you for every other informative w?b site. Where else may ?ust I ?m getting that kind
of information written things to ?o in nort?ern washington state (Margarette) such a p?rfect m?ans?
I’ve a venture that I’m just now operating on,and I’ve been at the gl?nc? out for
such info.