To mark this important anniversary the non-profit organisation Opona, whose aim is to recall the totalitarian times, has prepared an event called “20 Years without the Curtain – We have something to Celebrate!”. Two decades after the fateful events, you will be able to walk the very same route that was trodden by demonstrating students. To round it off, you can celebrate by coming to a big concert. Of course, this time it all will happen without the truncheons and shields, which everyone is familiar with from period pictures, nor will it involve armoured carriers or politicians who generally love to take credit.
The event will kick off on 17th November at 3 p.m. in Albertov . It starts with a 30 minute programme hosting former and current students with additional invited international guests. Afterwards the parade will follow the historical route leading to Národní třída. All participants will be photographed close to the cross-road with Mikulandska Street. Organisers have already contacted and personally invited almost one thousand former demonstrators; however, those who weren’t there in 1989 are obviously welcome as well. The photo ‘twenty years later’ will be taken by the photographer of the weekly magazine Reflex, Tomáš Třeštík. Immediately afterwards, a symbolic fall of the Iron Curtain will be carried out in the form of a short multimedia performance that will set the stage for the second part of the celebration.
A few steps further on, at Národní třída a unique concert will be held starting at roughly 6 p.m., and road access for cars will be closed for the duration. The biggest talents of the Czech music scene will be performing alongside the band Monkey Business. Visitors will be able to enjoy: Vladimír Mišík, Dan Bárta, Vlasta Třešňák, Lenka Dusilová, Vladimír Merta, Pavel Zajíček, Tony Ducháček, Michal Ambrož, and the rappers James Cole, Vladimir 518 and Orion. The aim is to introduce those who can now work in freedom together with those who played an important role in making this possible. Visitors will surely enjoy the current adaptation of songs done by Roman Holy and Monkey Business band, as these were the songs which in their times helped people keep the flame of hope alive and survive. Zdeněk Suchý will be a moderator of the event. The concert will be followed by a bloc of thematic songs with DJ Mardoša, a member of the band Tata Bojs.
For additional information about the programme of 20 Years without the Curtain, and about traffic restrictions click on www.20letbezopony.cz.
Press release of City District Prague 2