Czechast with David Livingstone

David Livingstone: "Czechs have been taking down statues every 20 years, for the last 100 years since Austria-Hungary fell apart. They are cancel culture experts!"

In this episode, I sit down with an American who found a new home in Olomouc, Moravia:

"My name is David Livingstone, no relation to the famous explorer from the 19th century. I’m an American citizen, and after graduating, I came to Czechoslovakia soon after in 1990."

David Livingstone|Photo: Vít Pohanka, Radio Prague International

David, who now teaches at Palacký University in Olomouc, often hears his colleagues talk about the overbearing nature of American cancel culture. Here’s what he has to say in response:

"Well, the Czechs have been taking down statues every 20 years, for the last 100 years, since Austria-Hungary, then the First Republic, then the Nazis, then the brief period, then the Communist period, then Czechoslovakia, then Czech, so Masaryk, you've had Masaryk Street, Masaryk rising up and down three times, right? So the Czechs are cancel culture experts."

For example, the statue of Marshal Konev in Prague 6 was removed in 2020|Photo: Czech Television

As someone who has lived in Czechia for over 30 years, David has some advice for visitors who only focus on the Czech capital:

"You know, I always tell foreigners, don't just visit Prague and Český Krumlov, but, you know, visit small towns, and there are many real pretty places that are off the beaten track. So for you Prague people out there, get the heck out of there. You don't need to spend all your time there; there's much more to explore."

We also speak about David's recent stay in Ukraine during the war. Obviously, Ukrainians need teachers of English language and English and American Literature, too. If  you are interested or curious how to help, David kindly let me post his personal email address where you can contact him: [email protected].