Czech Freedom & Democracy Day November 17
Commemorating the student-led Velvet Revolution.
This video commemorates the start of the student-led Velvet Revolution on 17 November 1989 a period of six weeks of protests which drew the support of many thousands of people in the streets of the Czech Capital, Prague. There had been previous student-led protests in the Czechlands - in 1939 against the Nazi occupation and in 1968 against the Russian-led invasion. Unlike the brutal suppression which followed these earlier protests, the 1989 student marches led to the Communist Government capitulating, in line with the events spreading through Central Europe at that time.
As an Australian who has never had to face such dramatic moments in history in my own country I have witnessed how the courage of these peaceful marchers has led to Prague being transformed into one of the worlds most popular travel destinations. It also led to people like me being welcomed into a society which often appears to be more accepting than Ive seen non-native speakers treated in Australia. This video acknowledges the courage of the people who marched in 1989 against their Communist rulers and shows glimpses of the Prague I know from all seasons.
With the help of my Czech Language teacher, Hana Tichá, and my guitarist mate from Sydney, Mario Superina, I also sing one of the most popular traditional Czech Christmas Carols PUJDEM SPOLU DO BETLEMA which tells of a group of villagers playing a variety of different musical instruments for Baby Jesuswhich is said to have inspired the American Christmas song, Little Drummer Boy written by Katherine K. Davis in 1941.
1 окт 2024
