For forty yeard, between 1948 and the Velvet Revolution in 1989, Prague was stigmatized by the communist period. There are two key political events affecting the life oc Czechoslovakia in this time: Prague Spring of 1968 when the revival of a more human socialist process was interrupted by the invading armies of the Warsaw Pact countries. And the critical year 1989 when on November 17th a peaceful, hence "velvet", revolutin began.
At the present time it is possible to find places what played the important part of Czech history: Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Palach Square, National Avenue, Prague Castle... You will see the memorial of the student Jan Palach?s death in 1969, you don?t miss the memorial plaque at the place where the Velvet Revolution 1989 started.
During this tour you will visit also the Museum of Communism presenting the period between 1921-1989. The Museum presents a vivid account of communism focusing on Czechoslovakis in general and on Prague in praticular. A variety of fields are represented including: daily life, politics, history, sport, economics, education, the arts (namely Socialist Realism), media propaganda, the People?s Militias, the army, the police and the dreaded secret police apparatus, censorship, judiciary and coercive institutions, and political labor camps. There is also a projection room where regular film screenings, interview with ex-political prisoners, propaganda films and occasional educational activities and lectures take place.
If you agree, at the end of the tour it is possible to sit down in a small cafe and discuss any question of a modern Czech history you are interested in. The guide who lived throughtout this time in Prague, can explain to you all subtle details you would like to understand.
The tour can be in English, French, Russian.
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