Slovaks and Czechs commemorated the 35th anniversary of the Gentle Revolution, which is one of the key historical events of the 20th century in Czechoslovakia. The violent intervention of the security forces against the permitted demonstration on November 17, 1989 in Prague started the events that led to the definitive fall of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. They are also referred to as the Gentle Revolution. Since 2001, Slovakia has also celebrated November 17 as the Day of the Fight for Freedom and Democracy.
Actress Zuzana Vačková was also present at the events that went down in history. As she recalled on Instagram, at that time she was 20 years old and a student at VŠMU. “I remember the determination, the support, the closedness of the nation, the joy when we saw that we succeeded. That we fought for FREEDOM! And today I see and I don’t want to believe it, that freedom is very fragile. Many do not realize how easily we can lose it again.” a well-known actress pointed out.
“Do you know how to boil a frog? When you throw it into boiling water, it jumps out. But when you put it in cold water and gradually heat the water, it doesn’t even notice when the water is already boiling and it dies there… I think the first log under our pot already they burn nicely. Friends, listen to those who shout: LET’S JUMP! Otherwise, they will cook us well,” she stated.
She also remembered the times that preceded the Gentle Revolution. “Shut up and move! Praise socialism, curse capitalism! Don’t travel anywhere! You don’t need to see the disgusting capitalists! If to the sea, then to socialist Bulgaria,” began the blonde. “Do you want to go to France? Apply for an exit clause, maybe the state will allow you to leave. Only you, not the whole family… and maybe not. And 20 dollars must be enough for you for the day. That you won’t even buy food for the day? Your problem. We won’t give you more,” she added.
“We don’t need Western artists. You will read the books that we determine. We know what you think! We don’t want another opinion. Your parents didn’t join the party? That’s a shame, so forget about college. Did you want to be a doctor, lawyer, scientist? No, an apprenticeship is for you and a blue-collar job. Foreign clothes? We don’t want to. Nice, our tesilas. Fruit from the west? No, oranges from Cuba are enough. Western music on the radio? No way! We sing their songs nicely into Slovak and Czech with lyrics that we approve,” she added.
“Do you want to bring home Bravo magazine? Or Playboy? No! We don’t want that here! You have to smuggle it in. And if you get caught, suffer the consequences… I feel anxious just thinking about it. And I don’t want to believe that some people today say that it was better in the old days. When we started the revolution 35 years ago, we didn’t know how it would turn out. Don’t the police come and put us behind bars. The state took revenge for expressing an opinion that did not agree with the policy of the Communist Party,” Vačková wrote.
