Freedom Week kicks off in Prague
Czechia approaches the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution and end of Communism in 1989. To commemotrate the historic milestone, Freedom Week kicks off in Prague.
The series of events and happenings is organized by "Díky, že můžem" - “Thanks that we can” - an organization dedicated to promoting civic engagement and historical awareness. Vít Pohanka spoke with Ester Valtrová, the program manager:
“The thing is that the 17th of November in the Czech Republic represents a lot of topics, like for us, May 3, democracy, freedom, and human rights. But it’s just one day, you know, but it’s values. It’s okay, and we have to talk about it for the whole year, but society is more sensitive to these topics before the 17th of November. So our idea was to, not just this one day, but also days before, and to connect different kinds of organizations, theaters, and stuff like that, and also try to reach different target groups together. Altogether, I think there are about a hundred different events in various places."
Q: If you were to choose some of them and kind of explain to the listeners what are the highlights of the Freedom Week?
“If we are talking about a topic that might interest people who speak English but not Czech, there is for example a really nice exhibition on Václav Havel Square next to the National Theater. It’s called “Havel, Known, Unknown”. And there are photographs which were not published before, and they are showing ex-presidents in different roles, let’s say. So it’s a bit funny, but it’s a bit nice. So it’s a bit to get to know something more.”
“Also, I would recommend any of the theaters, because a lot of them have English subtitles, and the program of theaters is so big. And also we have screenings in cinemas, so I can recommend one film, Architecture 5889, which is about architecture. It’s a really nice film. And also on Friday, I guess, we have it in Svetozar Cinema with a debate after it. This is something we are trying to have in this Freedom Week, to have dramaturgical introductions or debates, to have it somehow different.”
Q: What sort of participation do you expect in numbers? And I am not asking about precise figures, just to giv the listeners a broad idea. Do you have a lot of interest, perhaps, from secondary schools to take part in some of the events?
“I would love to tell you the number, but I can’t, because, you know, different places, different capacities, I don’t know how full it will be, so we can talk about it later, maybe after the week. But it will be a lot, you know, because it’s like, it’s 128 events right now, as I checked before. So, let’s say, we can count it in a way that for one event it’s like minimum 40 people. So, yeah, it will be a big number, I would say. And also schools are participating in this Week of Freedom. They are going on audio walks, let’s say, during the school, which are representing some kind of history and stuff like that. So, we will see.”
