We did not give it up - stories of the 20th century

Prague 27 October, 2009 - in the framework of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain, an outdoor exhibition We did not give it up – stories of the 20th century", which will be dedicated to people who sacrificed themselves in the fight against totalities of the past century, will be opened in Prague ". The exhibition will be inaugurated by President Václav Klaus at the Prague castle.

 

The exhibition "We did not give it up – stories of the 20th century" which is being held from 29 October to 23 November 2009 in the centre of Pragueshows factual life stories. The exhibition glorifies heroes of this nation who were willing in times of totalitarian regimes – under Nazism and communism – to face to injustice, to fight for freedom and to make sacrifices, or those who became significant actors of events which led to the fall of the Iron Curtain in then communist Czechoslovakia and who are still living with us.

On 150 exhibition panels the exhibition shows portraits of war veterans, anti-fascist and anti-communist resistance fighters, people who have experience with Nazi and communist lagers, dissidents and students of 17 November 1989. Through their memories the visitors will pass through the 20th century of this nation.

The exhibition path with eleven stops symbolically leads from the Prague castle via Klárov, Národní třída to the Wenceslas square. For example Josef Hercz, Anna Hyndráková, Vasil Korol, František Zahrádka, Oto Mádr, Václav Malý, Vladimír Merta, Petr Placák ant others are among those personalities, life stories of which are presented at the exhibition.

Also the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic was involved in the preparation of the largest outdoor exhibition in the Czech history – "We did not give it up – stories of the 20th century". On Tuesday 27 October the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, together with organizers, will commence celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Iron Curtain fall.

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Characterization of the Exhibition "We did not give it up – stories of the 20th century"

The exhibition "We did not give it up – stories of the 20th century" is outlined as a way though a town with thematic stops. The individual stops offer chronologically ranged historical events in the form of short authentic reminiscences of eyewitnesses. On 150 panels of size 2 x 1,5m and 2 x 1m there are installed period photographs, portraits of eyewitnesses accompanied by period artefacts. The intention of authors is to symbolically transfer every visitor to the past and to enable him the insight into the theme and understanding in broader context.

The exposition describes phenomena of totalitarian regimes, for example the will to do exploits, transports, life in labour camps, acting as an informer, collaboration, emigration ... In the individual stories it is documented that great events of the 20th century are formed of thousands human life stories.

The exhibition shows less known aspects of both totalities of the 20th century. It reminds us that the fall of the iron curtain in autumn 1989 was a culmination of the fight for freedom and democracy and that it is necessary to appreciate all those who sacrificed themselves in this fight.

The title of the exhibition "Stories of the 20th century" intentionally corresponds with a radio documentary cycle of the same name which is being prepared in the cooperation with the Czech Radio and the civic association Post Bellum in the entire territory of the republic.

Main organizers of the action are POST BELLUM, the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes and the municipality of Prague 1 district.

Venues, so-called exhibition stops:

Hradčanské náměstí: WORLD WAR TWO AND THE DOMESTIC RESISTANCE MOVEMENT
artefact: railway transport wagons, 12 exhibition panels, 7 of them memories of witnesses and 2 historical texts

Prague Castle 1: HOLOCAUST
12 exhibition panels, 7 of them memories of witnesses and 2 historical texts

Prague Castle 2: GULAG
12 exhibition panels, 7 of them memories of witnesses and 2 historical texts

Klárov: 1950'
artefact: watchtower, 12 exhibition panels, 7 of them memories of witnesses and 2 historical texts

Náměstí Jana Palacha: "PRAGUE SPRING" AND THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SO-CALLED NORMALIZATION
12 exhibition panels, 7 of them memories of witnesses and 2 historical texts

U Salvátora: MINORITIES – SUDETEN GERMANS, CROATIANS, ROMANIES ...
8 exhibition panels, 4 of them memories

Na Kampě: CHARTER 77 AND THE CULTURAL DISSENT
16 exhibition panels, 10 of them memories of eyewitnesses and 3 historical texts

U Sovových mlýnů I. and II: OTHER WAYS OF RESISTANCE TO THE REGIME IN 1980'
10 exhibition panels, 5 of them memories of eyewitnesses and 2 historical texts

The New Stage – Piacetta of the National Theatre: THEATRE AND THE REVOLUTION
12 exhibition are, 5 of them memories of eyewitnesses; accompanied with historical texts

Jungmannovo náměstí: NOVEMBER 1989 IN THE EYES OF THE EMBASSY OG THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED KNGDOM
10 exhibition panels, 4 of them memories of eyewitnesses, accompanied with historical texts and photographies

Václavské náměstí – Vodičkova str.: PLANS TO SUPPRESS THE VELVET REVOLUTION
12 exhibition panels with historical texts and rich photo documentation

Václavské náměstí – Vodičkova str.: artefact: a water cannon

Václavské náměstí – Opletalova str.: THE VELVET REVOLUTION
20 exhibition panels with historical texts and rich photo documentation.