Mailbox
In today’s Mailbox: Cardinal Vlk’s appeal to Czech voters, a listener’s memories of Prague, “rediscovering” Radio Prague on WRN, quoting listeners’ quiz answers in Mailbox. Listeners quoted: Jaroslav B. Tusek, Gavin Waters, Jerry Young, S. J. Agboola.
Thanks for tuning in to Mailbox, Radio Prague’s weekly letters programme.
Prior to last weekend’s European elections, the Czech Cardinal Miloslav Vlk called on Czechs to not vote for politicians who had brought down the previous Czech government. He was referring, by implication, mainly to the Social Democratic Party and the Communists who backed a no-confidence vote in the government in the middle of the Czech presidency of the EU, a move which Cardinal Vlk described as irresponsible.
Jaroslav B. Tusek from the US responded to the Cardinal’s appeal with a message titled: “Thank you Cardinal!”
“I agree with Cardinal Vlk that it is essential not to support destructive political elements in the Czech Republic. President Havel and his associates have been working diligently for many years to establish at least some level of respect and positive image abroad for the young Czech democracy. Their efforts have been thwarted by those who brought down the Czech government by supporting a no-confidence vote before the completion of the Czech presidency of the EU. Unfortunately the consequences of this action on the Czech reputation abroad are perhaps even more severe and devastating than those of the infamous Battle of White Mountain of 1620. Therefore I completely agree with Cardinal Vlk about not backing those responsible for this unfortunate and malevolent deed.”
To what extent voters heeded the Cardinal’s appeal is another matter. The Social Democrats secured over 22 percent of the vote and the Communist Party received over 14 percent of the vote in the European elections last weekend.
“This is the first time I have contacted Radio Prague from your website, and the first time I listened ‘live’ on my computer today, but it is by FAR not the first time I listened to Radio Prague. ... In 1993 I was able to take a long weekend in Prague with my wife. WHAT an experience – you have a magical city there. ... Prague is rich in traditional architecture and if I could influence anything in this world I would like to ask you to preserve those beautiful old buildings, all of them. Those wonderful shapes of the facades and the paintings. ... Charles Bridge, but also the streets leading to it are in my view a world heritage resource.... I love Czech people – you have the same practical outlook as New Zealand people. You can still make do with almost nothing if you have to. ... You can make things with your hands. You are artistic and scientific all at once. You can mend things and keep them going and yet you can embrace the latest technical things too. ... You can still grow vegetables in your gardens! ... Well I will enjoy listening to some more programmes, now I have my computer working properly. Of course, I would rather visit. ... Please look after your beautiful city for me!”
Well, thank you for all those compliments – and as to looking after the city, I guess we’ll do what we can.
Jerry Young from Austin, Texas has also “rediscovered” Radio Prague:
“As a young person in the 1960s, I was an avid shortwave listener and I still have several QSL cards from Radio Prague from those days. I have recently discovered your programming on WRN and more recently on the internet. It is such a pleasure to be able to hear about your country.”
It is a pleasure to hear that our old-time listeners are finding their way back to us.
Finally, S. J. Agboola from Nigeria has this complaint:
“I am an ardent listener to your programmes. However, the way I was treated in the Mystery Person slot of the programme last Sunday is embarrassing. My entry, a copy of which I just forwarded to you, was not aired at all. WHY????? I shall be expecting your response.”
We appreciate that you and your family are among regular contributors to Mailbox. In the programme, however, we are severely limited by time, so only a tiny percentage of answers get quoted each month, and often they need to be shortened substantially. Therefore, we cannot guarantee anyone that his or her answer will be quoted; it is solely and exclusively up to Radio Prague what we decide to air. But we hope that won’t discourage you from taking part in our regular quizzes.
This month we are looking for the name of a great promoter of the alternative medicine practice of hydrotherapy who was born in 1799 in what is today the North Moravian spa town of Jeseník.
We expect your answers at the usual addresses [email protected] or Radio Prague, 12099 Prague. In two weeks time, we’ll be announcing the overall winner as well as the runners-up of Radio Prague’s annual listeners’ competition whose deadline passed on Friday. But next week, we’ll be back with a regular Mailbox programme. Good-bye.
