17th November 1989

Today, 20 years has passed since the students demonstration took place in the streets of Prague. This demonstration was brutally supressed by the police and it started the so-called Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia. A social movement that has changed the political regime. Today is the 20th Anniversary of the new Czech (and Slovac) DEMOCRACY.
Why was it exactly on this day that the students went to the streets? We have to go back in history to find the answer. In autumn 1939, when Czechoslovakia was occupied by the Nazi Germany, a Czech student Jan Opletal was heavily injured in an anti-Nazi demonstration. He died a few days later and his death initiated a new wave of revolt against the occupiers. These actions were not left without answer and on November 17th 1939 the University dorms were attacked by Germans and the Czech Universities were closed down - 9 students were executed and many were sent to concentration camps.
The events of November 17th were recalled every year during the official commemorations in the communist era. In the year 1989, the students wanted to organize the 50th Anniversary on their own and their way. This was not in link with the official policies and that's why the students were attacked by the police during the peacefull manifestation. This was the last drop that made other people come into the streets and actively manifest their thirst for freedom.
Today, 20 years later, I live in a democratic country. I can travel, I can be here in Krogerup and study together with people from all over the world. I am free.
November 17th is therefore an important day for me.
At the end of this article, I would like to pass foward a message that Mr. Václav Havel (one of the leaders of the dissent, former president of Czechoslovakia and Czech Republic) brought out this week during his various speeches in Prague. Freedom goes hand in hand with responsibility. Therefore, lack of freedom might seem attractive. Because it is easy for a human being to get used to the fact that he doesn't have to decide, make his choice. There are still millions of people around the world that are being manipulated every day, that live under a totalitarian regime and suffer from oppresion. It is our moral responsibility to help them out, the same way as the international community and many individuals helped us when we needed it. It is our moral responsibility not to set economic interest higher than basic human rights. This counts for both politicians and single individuals. Keep awake. Let's not forget!
- Eva (Global Citizen with Czech roots)