Mailbox
Today's Mailbox includes: Topics: NATO summit. Katiusha. "Lustrace" screening laws. Cibulka files. Quotes from: Arik Shmukler, Sara Wong, Douglas Ogle
Hello and welcome to Mailbox. Olga Szantova is still on sick leave so I will be standing in for her this week.
Thanks Pavla. And unlike last week, we'll start with your letters right away and the first is an e-mail from Arik Shmukler from somewhere in the United States. And he has a question on the NATO summit that is to be held in Prague from November 20th to November 22nd:
"We are planning to be in Prague during these three days of November just as regular tourists from the USA. Can we expect any closures in the historical centre of Prague? Can we visit any tourist attractions at the territory of the Castle? I'd appreciate your feedback."
Yes, there will be some restrictions, especially around Prague Castle. Pavla's Talking Point this week featured the preparations for the NATO summit. So if you missed it, be sure to visit our website at www.radio.cz/english for more detailed information. And for those of you who will be in Prague, let me remind you that we will be covering the NATO summit in detail so tune in to Radio Prague to get the most up-to-date information on the latest developments.
Okay, let's move on to another question from Sara Wong from somewhere in cyberspace in the U.S.A. We had a Jennifer Wong from Florida in the U.S.A. last week. Any relation there? Anyway, Sara Wong's question is:
"You often mention the so-called lustrace screening laws in your reports on your website. I still don't quite understand what they are and also what the onion files are. Could you give me more information about this topic. It sounds like a very interesting but also controversial measure taken against former Communists."
Well, Sara. Your question is difficult to answer in the short time we have available. But it appears that you have not looked into our archives on our website. Try and enter the words "lustrace" and "cibulka" into our search engines and you will get much more information on the two subjects. Now what you called the onion files are actually called the Cibulka files, named after Petr Cibulka - the man who published a list of alleged StB agents in the early 1990s. The so-called 'lustrace', or screening laws, came into force in the early 1990s with the purpose of preventing former Communist secret agents and other people associated with the former regime from taking government and civil service posts. Some have criticised these measures, arguing that they institutionalise the failed principle of collective guilt. But as I have already said, it would take too long to give a detailed explanation.
But we hope that we made things a little clearer for you Sara. And now a question regarding the song Katiusha. Douglas Ogle, from somewhere in cyberspace, most probably Canada asks:
"Over the past week, I have been listening to "Radio Prague" in the early morning on CBC radio. Your program in English runs for 15 minutes from 5:15 to 5:30 hours. It is enjoyable to hear the news from Czechoslovakia and I will continue to listen. On this morning's program, it ended with several singers performing the Russian song "Katiusha", one of my favourites. Could you answer the following questions for me please? Who was the singer or singers? What is the name of the CD album? Is there a store in Prague from which I could order that recording?"
First of all, thanks for the e-mail, what we appreciate is that you're actually up at 5.15 in the morning to listen to our programme. One thing we have to point out though, and we still get many letters and e-mails from listeners who make the same mistake, is that Czechoslovakia no longer exists. In fact, we will soon have the tenth anniversary of the country splitting into two separate, independent states - the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
And Radio Prague only broadcasts news and current affairs from and about the Czech Republic. But to answer your question, Mr Ogle, the recording of Katiusha that you heard was from a CD that was compiled by the Communist Party with the most popular songs that were sung in the country during Communist rule. Unfortunately, it is no longer for sale.
The version we heard now, was sung by Yevgenyi Vinogradov and Alexandr's dance and song ensemble. Since it is an old recording, we have no records of where it was bought but try and visit the Bontonland web page at www.bontonland.cz, which has a wide selection of Czech and foreign music and videos. And our time is up once again. Unfortunately, with the new schedule, we have less time available for mailbox and will just have to answer the rest of the questions next week.
And if you were not aware of our new winter schedule contact us at Vinohradska 12, 120 99 Prague 2, Czech Republic for a copy of the new schedule.
Let me just remind you of our e-mail address: [email protected]. Feel free to send us your comments, questions and suggestions.
Until next time, take care of yourselves.
