Rich programme at CU to commemorate events of 1939/1989












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            * Rich programme at CU to commemorate events of 1939/1989
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            * Debates, concerts, new publications part of run-up to Nov. 17
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            Czechs, in a little over a week’s time, will be marking the 30th anniversary of the Velvet

            which began on November 17, 1989 following a brutal crackdown against students by the comm
            police.

            The crackdown sparked a wave of protests that only grew in size and number and led to the 
            the communist regime.
            Fifty years earlier, November 17 had seen the execution of nine students and professors by

            the sending of more than 1,200 students to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.
            Both 1939 and ’89 figure strongly in commemorative events and celebrations in the days ahe
            Michal Zima, the head organiser of Svobodny listopad (no relation to the rector) explained

            at the Patriotic Hall on Friday, that one aim was to remember what he described as the som
            events of ‘39.
            These, he reminded journalists and other attendees, had led to the founding of Internation

            (in 1941), and were a precursor to the Velvet Revolution itself.
            Others to take part in the press event on Friday included Rector Tomáš Zima who spoke firs
            Miroslav Bárta, the vice-rector for public affairs, who was a student of 19 at the time of

            Revolution. Prof. Bárta recalled that the peaceful outcome had by no means been a foregone
            commemoration of November 17 he and other speakers suggested, is both a celebration but al
            that things could have gone very differently. Even today, 30 years on, freedom gained in t

            of 1989 and the return to democracy in the years that followed, should not be taken for gr
            attendance agreed.
            Here is the list of main events scheduled for next week:

            Tuesday, November 12 will see an event at CU’s Carolinum entitled Three Decades of Democra
            Between Former Czech Prime Ministers. Former prime ministers Petr Nečas, Jiří Paroubek, an
            have all accepted invitations to take part.

            Wednesday, November 13 will see a gathering at the First Faculty of Medicine in memory of 
            Opletal, shot and killed by the Nazis in 1939. The same day will also see Faculty Night at
            Law.

            Faculty Night will be chockful of events – from discussions and debates with 43 guest spea
            entertainment (silent disco anyone?); coordinator Michal Říha explained to attendees on Fr
            November 1989 represented the return of law following more than 40 years of totalitarian r

            academic freedom.
            Thursday, November 14 will see an international conference at the Carolinum on dissent in 
            Czechoslovakia and a much-anticipated concert at Kampus Hybernská including the legendary 

            the Universe.
            Also opening on Thursday, will be an exhibition entitled Our November ’89, photos from peo
            country showing how they experienced the heady days of November ’89 and the return to demo

            Friday, November 15 will see a Conference on Economic Transformation in the Czech
            Republic and Slovakia at the University of Economics and a premiere of Unknown Soldier an 
            at the Grand Hall of the Carolinum.

            Saturday, November 16 will see a Conference on Europe and International Students’ Day at t
            and The Night Before Velvet concert at Albertov.
            Sunday, November 17 itself a celebration of Freedom and Democracy Day at Albertov, complet

            retracing of the route students followed in 1989 beginning at 14:00.
            On the day, the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic will host a conference entitled 
            Fences to the Schengen Area.

            In addition to listed events, several new publications commemorate the events of 1989 incl
            The Velvet Revolution 30 Years After [ URL "https://www.cupress.cuni.cz/ink2_stat/index.js
            include=podrobnosti&id=22158"] , published by the Karolinum Press.

            Matfyz Press has published its own fascinating book of personal interviews called Once Upo
            November.
            And be sure to also pick up Forum’s special commemorative issue [ URL "https://iforum.cuni

            IFORUMENG-821.html"] in Czech and English available free at the entrance to the rectorate.