1980s underground memorials at "John Lennon wall" recalled
December 8th is the anniversary of the death of John Lennon, who was a powerful symbol of non-conformity for young people throughout Communist-ruled Europe. On the anniversary of his death, the annual underground memorials at Prague's "John Lennon wall" during the 1980s are recalled by somebody who was there.
December 8th is the anniversary of the death of John Lennon, who was a powerful symbol of non-conformity for young people throughout Communist-ruled Europe. Following his murder in 1980, some young Czechs gathered every December 8th at a graffiti painting of Lennon on Prague's Malteske namesti square.
The portrait and messages of peace were repeatedly painted over by the communist police, only to be repainted by brave fans. Thanks to tourists taking pieces over the years, and the 2002 floods, the wall is now somewhat the worse for wear, though you will still find graffiti there.
Dr. Miroslav Vanek is an oral historian who himself attended the underground memorials during the 1980s, and here he recalls the "Lennon wall."
"It was very, very important for us, for young people...they met people with the same thinking about the culture, about the world, about nuclear weapons. I think they were a very special community of young people. At the beginning, they could speak very freely but the second year of the anniversary they were attacked by the Communist police.
"It was like black market or something, next to the John Lennon wall. We didn't know that there were some spy agents, who were selling LPs, records with some music. Me and my friend bought some LP, some record. Immediately afterwards, we were interrogated by this seller, and we saw that the sellers were agents. After, we were caught by the police.
"I saw the wall - a photo of the wall - in a tourist guide. It means that the wall is now more like a tourist attraction. On the other hand, I have to say that I haven't been there since the changing of the system, because in my head it's something different, I would like to take my last memory of the wall as a symbol of the young generation who were not satisfied with the conditions the Communist regime brought to the people."
