“We have something to say to each other”: Over 80 institutions join Freedom Week
Today, Freedom Week began throughout Czechia. The event is organized by Díky, že můžem (“thanks that we can”) in support of freedom and democracy. More than 80 cultural and educational institutions are taking part in the commemorations, culminating with International Students’ Day, which Czechs celebrate on Monday, November 17. I spoke with the association’s project coordinator, Kristýna Zinková, to find out more.
So, first, let’s go over some of the basics. What kinds of cultural and educational institutions are taking part in Freedom Week [this year]?
“The institutions taking part in Freedom Week are mostly theatres, exhibition spaces like galleries and museums, and also independent artists. For example, we have a pub quiz company that prepared a quiz night for us. So even these kinds of organizations collaborate on our project to make it accessible. Schools and libraries are also involved. It’s really a wide range of institutions joining us.”
And it’s totally decentralized across the country, right? Could you maybe speak about the differences? For example, in Prague, what highlights can people focus on?
“The first two years we started in Prague, but this year is the first time we’re actually expanding into the regions. The types of institutions are similar, mostly theatres, libraries, and museums. In the regions, many local libraries and theatres have joined us. So the difference isn’t that big.
“I would say maybe the National Gallery of the City of Prague (Galerie hlavního města Prahy). There’s also, for example, the Václav Havel Library. In the regions, maybe the National Theatre in Brno is a big name for us. But honestly, it’s difficult to name the “main” participant; all these institutions have something unique to offer.”
So everything that’s happening is about commemorating and remembering freedom and democracy movements. Is it mainly about remembering, or also about how democracy has developed since the Velvet Revolution about democracy now? How can visitors think about this?
“We offer a series of cultural and educational events focused on the themes of freedom, democracy, and current social challenges. So it’s both about history and about what’s going on right now. Our key goals are to popularize modern history, highlight the value of freedom, and encourage reflection on society and our participation in it.
“Of course, it’s important to commemorate the freedom gained through the Velvet Revolution, but also to remind people to appreciate it every day on a daily basis. Not just on November 17, but to think throughout the day that freedom isn’t something that’s automatically given. We need to understand the history behind it to truly value it today.
“Each year, we have a motto we work with. This year, it’s ‘We have something to say to each other.’ It’s an invitation to dialogue and to understanding across generations. That’s really important to us.”
November 17 was famously a student-led movement initially that others joined later. Would you say that’s also an inspiration? Many protest movements, like Ukraine’s Maidan Revolution, start with students and then grow into broader, intergenerational movements. Is that something that inspired you this year as well?
“Exactly, yes. Our nonprofit organization is full of young people, but we don’t want to stay in a bubble. We want other generations to join the conversation. We want to talk to them. We feel that people today often live in echo chambers and don’t know how to debate or discuss things constructively. That’s something we want to challenge. That’s why we do it as well.”
