Russian Revisionism Again / The Soviet Army in Czechoslovakia in 1968 Restored 'Constitutional Order', Claims Moskovsky Komsomolets
A pro-Kremlin commentary in Moskovsky Komsomolets reflects on Soviet actions in Czechoslovakia during the 1968 invasion, framing them as efforts to uphold constitutional order.
Podcast "Stop History": Escapes of Poles from the 'Communist Paradise'
The article discusses the dangers faced by Poles escaping from communist Poland to Czechoslovakia during the Cold War.
A Review: The Wizard from the Kremlin also reflects on Czechoslovak postsocialist reality
The article reviews a work that ties together themes from the Kremlin's perspective and the post-socialist experience in Czechoslovakia.
Poles Escape from the 'Communist Paradise'
The article examines the dangers faced by Polish citizens who attempted to escape from communist Poland to the West, particularly through Czechoslovakia, highlighting the deadly measures taken to prevent such escapes.
I have a beehive in my head
The article explores personal and historical narratives of people from Czechoslovakia during significant political changes.
Former KSČ Officials Will Continue to Receive Lower Pensions, Confirmed by the Constitutional Court
The Constitutional Court of Czechia has reaffirmed that former officials of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSČ) will remain subject to reduced pensions in a recent ruling.
"We live in communism. Only the stores don't know it yet." In 1960, President Novotný announced that Czechoslovakia had built socialism
The article discusses the announcements and political changes in Czechoslovakia in 1960 under President Antonín Novotný, including the establishment of socialism and the release of political prisoners.
For the Father, Requested a Rope, Yet Could Not Study: The Fates of Families from the Slánský Process
The article discusses the struggles of families affected by the Slánský process in Czechoslovakia, particularly focusing on the emotional and socio-economic impacts.
How Gottwald's Speech and the West's Silence Helped the February Coup
The article examines the historical significance of the February 1948 coup in Czechoslovakia, highlighting the conflicting perspectives and key figures involved, particularly Edvard Beneš and Klement Gottwald.
Censorship and Centralized Publishing of Marx's, Gottwald's, and My Books is Progress, Marie Majerová Said
Marie Majerová reflects on the censorship and centralization of book publishing by the Communist Party in Czechoslovakia as a means to promote its ideology.
The StB Officers Harassed Actor Töpfer. They Now Face Up to Ten Years in Prison
Four former State Security officers have been charged for harassing actor Tomáš Töpfer during the 1970s and 1980s in Czechoslovakia, with potential sentences of one to ten years in prison.
The Regime, Fear, and the World Elite: The Story of Milan Orlowski is Stronger than Big Marty
Milan Orlowski, a former professional table tennis player from Czechoslovakia, shares a compelling story of dedication and sacrifice in contrast to the fictional narrative of the American film 'Big Marty.'
Karel Köcher was a native of Bratislava who infiltrated the CIA for the ŠtB
The article discusses Karel Köcher, a significant figure in Czechoslovak espionage, who infiltrated the CIA for the ŠtB and was involved in a famous spy exchange.
New discovery from the KSČ archive: Soviets brought nuclear warhead missiles to Husák
A newly uncovered document reveals that in 1983, Soviet officials urged Czechoslovak president Gustáv Husák to accept the deployment of nuclear-capable SS-12 missiles on Czechoslovak territory.
Havlová as the Smoking Prime Minister. Welcome to Czechoslovakia
The article mentions an issue regarding a webpage failing to load correctly, attributed to browser extensions or VPN troubles.
The CIA was interested, but he remained loyal to the KGB. A journalist presents the story of agent Köcher
Karel Köcher, the only known spy to penetrate the CIA, faced skepticism upon his return to Czechoslovakia after a prisoner exchange in 1986.
1956 in Soviet Satellites: Poland Revolts, Hungary Fights, Seifert Speaks...
The significant events of 1956 in Soviet satellite states showcased varying reactions from Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia following Khrushchev's critical speech on Stalinism.
An Incomplete Conversation with Otto Šimko: I Have the Fundamentals of Goodness Embedded in Me
The article reflects on the life of Otto Šimko, a Jewish scout and journalist, who, at 101, shared his experiences in a podcast before his passing in February 2023.
Quiz: Can you recognize Czechoslovak and Czech Olympic medalists in the photos?
The article is a quiz challenge on recognizing Olympic medalists from Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic based on photos.
Apparently the first woman in Europe to have a notary office. The fate of Horáková narrowly escaped me.
The article discusses Anděla Kozáková-Jírová as a pioneering female notary in Europe, alongside her classmates who were the first female lawyers in Czechoslovakia, detailing the challenges they faced during and after World War II.
The world functioned differently back then. Minister Zůna was preparing to work in the totalitarian intelligence service
Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna reflects on his past ambitions while applying to join a totalitarian military intelligence service as a young member of the people's army.
“What a Cunning Man, Our Kléma.” How Gottwald and Company Prepared to Seize Power
The article explores the historic events surrounding the February 1948 coup in Czechoslovakia, focusing on key figures like Edvard Beneš and the political maneuvering that led to the Communist takeover.
The Last Message of Jan Masaryk to the People in the Protectorate: Believe in Beneš and in the Alliance with the Soviets
The article focuses on Jan Masaryk's last speech broadcast by the BBC from London on February 21, 1945, highlighting themes of wartime propaganda and post-war optimism.
The communists' relationship with Seifert has always been precarious.
The article discusses the complicated and often adversarial relationship between Czechoslovakia's communist regime and Nobel Prize-winning poet Jaroslav Seifert, highlighting attempts to silence him 75 years ago.
Break Out of the Ghetto: A Giant New Book Takes an Adventurous Journey into the History of Czechoslovak Samizdat
The article discusses the meticulous work involved in completing a significant new book about Czechoslovak samizdat, emphasizing the historical context and the challenges faced during its production.
It Is Time for Charta 26: Slovakia Is Europe
The article reflects on the significance of Charta 77, which was published on January 6, 1977, calling for dialogue and cooperation in upholding human rights in Czechoslovakia.
About the fact that Seifert received the Nobel Prize, Czech newspapers were almost silent in 1984. Why?
The article discusses the lack of coverage by Czech newspapers regarding Jaroslav Seifert's Nobel Prize in 1984 due to the political climate and his unpopularity with the communist regime at the time.
"And then I saw him" – The hunt for the hidden Maurus shrine was a crime story
The article narrates the thrilling story of the hidden Maurus shrine in Czechoslovakia, which had not been seen for a hundred years, involving elements such as communist investigators and European nobility amid the Cold War.
The Unwanted Nobel Laureate Jaroslav Seifert: Why It's Worth Remembering Him?
The article reflects on Jaroslav Seifert's unexpected Nobel Prize victory in 1984 amidst strong competition, highlighting the lack of recognition he received from the Czechoslovak press and his contentious relationship with the normalization regime.
Not just Jawas and ČZs. Motorcycles in Czechoslovakia are a unique chronicle, featuring beauties and cats on the saddle
The book 'Motorcycles in Czechoslovakia' offers a unique look into motorcycle history through hundreds of authentic photographs, showcasing families and their loved ones with their motorcycles instead of technical specifications.
They wanted human rights and socialism that works. It ended with tanks
The Prague Spring was a reform movement in Czechoslovakia in 1968, marking a significant attempt at liberalizing socialism during the Cold War, ultimately crushed by Soviet tanks.
On this day, the land in the heart of Europe disappeared. A new history begins
Czechoslovakia officially ceased to exist on December 31, 1992, marking a rare example of peaceful separation in a federation as Czech and Slovak politicians made the decision following differing electoral successes.
The man who was president of two European states
Václav Havel was a prominent Czech writer and politician, recognized as a key figure in the fight against communism in Czechoslovakia and as the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic.
‘Truth is needed against everyone,’ warned Karel Kramář against Bolshevism. The Prime Minister of the first Czech government would be 165 years old
Karel Kramář, the first Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia, cautioned against Bolshevism and is remembered on the occasion of what would have been his 165th birthday.
"I wanted to eat cherries and translate Švejk." A meeting in Hanoi with Lenka, a Vietnamese-Czech icon
The article discusses a meeting in Hanoi with Lenka, a prominent figure amidst the backdrop of an earlier story about North Korean war orphans who found refuge in Czechoslovakia.