Prague Velvet revolution

From communism to democracy

Friday 17th November was an ordinary day. A day as any other working day. I was a young graduate, working at the archive of the International Union od Students. It was quite a boring job and that´s I was already looking forward to an upcoming weekend. 17 November was traditionally a special day dedicated to students in former Czechoslovakia. A day on which we were remembering Czech students who became victims of Nazi persecution in 1939. My employer and the Union of Young Communists were preparing a demonstration to commemorate thouse historial events. I was supposed to participate. But I changed my mind and went home. And so I had no idea what happened that Friday afternoon. I didn´t know that the peaceful demonstration turned out to a massacre at which many young people were injured. A general strike was then declared by Prague students and actors. Huge demonstration started to be held every day at the Wencelas Square in Prague. There were thousends of people listening to speeches of Vaclav Havel and other dissidents every afternoon. And I was one of them. Final countdown for communism had started...I feel privileged that I had a chance to be one of the participants of that non violent Velvet revolution. And I feel even more privileged that after couple of weeks I obtained a new job at the presidential office of our newly elected democratic president Mr.Vaclav Havel. He was an outstanding man, one of the most important intellectuals of 20th century. His deditation to freedom and democracy is as unforgotten as his great humanity. He will always be in my heart. 

Are you interested in the modern history of Czechoslovakia? Book my tour: Velvet revolution tour