The statue of Soviet Marshal Konev, removed from the Interbrigády square in Prague, will be exhibited at the Museum of the Memory of the 20th Century starting next year.
The statue of Soviet Marshal Konev, which was taken down by the Prague 6 city council a few years ago, is set to be displayed at the Museum of the Memory of the 20th Century. According to iROZHLAS.cz, visitors will likely be able to view it from the beginning of next year at the House of Pages in Hradčany, where the museum is preparing a permanent exhibition. The renovation of the House of Pages is currently underway and is expected to be completed by April, with the museum moving into its new space in the summer and starting to build its permanent exhibition soon thereafter.
Historians have indicated that the statue will be placed in one of the niches in the courtyard, and it will be used to tell the story of not only Konev's biography but also the workings of communist propaganda and the myth surrounding the liberation of Prague. Petr Blažek, historian and director of the Museum of the Memory of the 20th Century, mentioned to Czech Radio that the statue will serve as a reminder of both Konev's life story and the broader Central European history. Konev, who was critical in the liberation of Prague from the Nazis, is a controversial figure due to his role in suppressing uprisings in countries like Hungary during the Cold War.
This development highlights a growing public discourse in Czechia surrounding figures from the communist past as the nation continues to grapple with its historical narrative. The display of Konev's statue, especially in the context of a museum dedicated to memory and reflection on the 20th century, suggests an intention to engage with these complex historical figures and their legacies rather than erase them from public memory. As the museum prepares for its grand opening, it has invited discourse on the themes of memory, history, and the construction of national identity in contemporary Czech society.
