Let's keep talking.
This year marks the 36th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. The atmosphere in our society might not be particularly optimistic these days, especially after the intense election period, but that is why we feel an even stronger urge to highlight and celebrate our shared freedoms and democratic values. We should not take them for granted. We might not agree on everything, but now, more than ever, it is important to respect each other and listen without judgement.
Behind the Celebrations of the Velvet Revolution
36 years ago, the lives of people in Czechoslovakia changed forever. The communist regime was getting weaker and weaker, and finally, what was to be “yet another student protest” turned into something that we now refer to as the Velvet Revolution. On November 17 1989, the state regime began to fall apart and democracy took over. We do not only celebrate the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution on the 17th, it is also the official International Students’ Day which originally commemorates the day Czech universities were closed by Nazis back in 1939. November 17 is a day of many events for the Czech nation, but most importantly, it is a day celebrating freedom and democracy.
You don’t always need to speak the language! These are the parts of the programme which you can enjoy fully without knowing Czech.
Week of Freedom
From the 11th of November to the 17th of November, the Week of Freedom offers cultural and educational events related to the themes of freedom, democracy and current social challenges. And what’s new? For the first time ever, the Week of Freedom is not only taking place in Prague, but in various regions across the Czech republic! Every year, the program strikes a balance between culture and education along with key themes of our organization Thanks That We Can – whether is’s popularizing modern history, commemorating the values of democracy or reflecting on the current state of freedoms gained thanks to the Velvet Revolution. This year, more than 70 organizations and institutions are taking part of the Week of Freedom across the whole country.
Národní 365/43
110 00 Praha 1