Mailbox

In today's Mailbox: A listener's comment on the unrest in the Middle East, a listener from Chistchurch, New Zealand, on the recent earthquake, Radio Prague's Czech learning programmes. Listeners quoted: Mary Lou Krenek, Bob Boundy, James O’Brien, Christoph Lischka.

Protests in Libya, photo: CTK

Hello and welcome to Mailbox, Radio Prague’s letters programme which gives you, the listeners and readers, a chance to voice your comments and questions.

We are always happy to see our old-time listeners come back; one of them is Mary Lou Krenek from Texas, U. S. A. who sent us this comment:

“Here are some thoughts concerning the unrest in the Middle East. They should look to the Czech Republic for examples on how to conduct peaceful dissent. Dissidents in the Middle East should remember the example set in history by Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia, Solidarity in Poland, and other dissident groups in Eastern Europe prior to the fall of Communism in 1989. A peaceful, disciplined approach to dissent leads to peaceful and orderly change. However, the circumstances are different in the Middle East. A different culture exists. There are leadership models, some of which are not conducive to peaceful change. This can be seen in Libya. In contrast, Egypt allowed a degree of peaceful dissent. A goal in the world is to have peaceful dissent and orderly change in countries where citizens are disenchanted with their current governments. The countries in the Middle East should strive for this goal.”

And we were really, really happy to hear from our long time listener Bob Boundy from the city of Christchurch in New Zealand which was stricken by a severe earthquake earlier this year:

A store in Christchurch damaged in the February 2011 earthquake, photo: Schwede66, CC 3.0 license

“We are both okay here in Christchurch. We escaped with only cosmetic damage inside and outside. We were very lucky. Many buildings in the centre of our city were destroyed, many will have to be demolished. Our famous cathedral was also destroyed but will be rebuilt. 183 people lost their lives, many homes also are beyond repair. There will be a lot of rebuilding here. We are still getting aftershocks. These have been ongoing and will last for a long time. Some of our shopping malls remain closed but are undergoing repair work. Our roads are a mess but slowly getting repaired, water, power and sewage are working in nearly all areas so that is a blessing. Still enjoying radio Prague through the internet.”

James O’Brien from Cardiff, Wales also told us how he listens to Radio Prague:

“It’s great to hear your broadcasts via the World Radio Network it’s a good listen while I'm online. Prague has always fascinated me, even more so as I'm over there in a few months time. Your history and culture is quite something and can't wait to take everything in that Prague has to offer. And I'm learning more and more through the help of Radio Prague.”

In the previous edition of Mailbox we quoted a Japanese listener who said he was sorry to see our Czech language programme SoundCzech discontinued. Christoph Lischka sent us a comment along the same lines:

I can assure you the complete archive of four and a half years stays there as well as another four years worth of back editions of our previous Czech language programmes. All you need to do is go the Radio Prague’s archive and click ABC of Czech.

Thank you very much for staying in touch with Radio Prague. As our time is running out, let me repeat our listeners’ quiz question for April, the month the whole world is marking 50 years since the first human space flight.

The first two countries to send people into space were the Soviet Union and the United States. In April we would like you to tell us the name of the first man in space who was not a citizen of either of those countries.

In order to be included in our lucky draw, please send us your answers by the end of April to [email protected] or Radio Prague, 12099 Prague. Mailbox will be back on May 6 to quote from your correct answers and other letters. Until then good-bye.