Learn all about Freedom and Democracy Struggle Day
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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class — Holidays in the Czech Republic Series at CzechClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Czech holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Lesson 10, Freedom and Democracy Struggle Day. In Czech, it’s called Den boje za svobodu a demokracii. |
| On November 17, Czechs celebrate Freedom and Democracy Struggle Day. This holiday is connected with two events: the violent suppresion of student demonstrations or studentské demonstrace, against Nazi occupation in 1939. Later, in 1989, more demonstrations marked the beginning of the so-called Velvet Revolution or sametová revoluce and started the downfall of socialism or socialismus in Czechoslovakia. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question— |
| Do you know why November 17 is celebrated as International Students' Day? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| The atmosphere of the holiday matches the gravity of the historical events being commemorated. These celebrations most often have the character of official memorials. They are held in the locations of the events being commemorated, particularly the National Avenue in Prague, the place where the 1989 intervention of security forces against students took place. |
| People also light candles or svíčky and lay wreaths or věnce at locations associated with the tragic events of 1939, such as an area close to Wenceslas Square, where demonstrators were shot, and in the former Ruzyne barracks, where the leaders of the student revolt were executed. Nazi repression resulted in the executions of student leaders, the arrests of hundreds of other students, internment in the concentration camps, and the closing of Czech universities. |
| The celebrations also include social events that are organized by state officials for public figures and broadcast by the media. These events present viewers and listeners with personal memories of the demonstrators mainly from the 1989 period, and they voice opinions on the transformation of Czech society since 1989. |
| November 17 in the Czech Republic is inseparable from politics or politika. Therefore it is a popular date for organizing political demonstrations on various issues. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| Do you know why November 17 is celebrated as International Students' Day? |
| It has been celebrated since 1941 as a student response to the Nazi repression of Czech university students in November 1939, as well as to the closing of Czech universities. |
| Well listeners, how was this lesson? Did you learn something new? |
| Have you ever taken part in a student demonstration? |
| Leave a comment telling us at CzechClass101.com, and I’ll see you in the next lesson! |
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