Prague to mark Velvet Revolution

Czechs and Slovaks are to mark the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution – which brought down the Communist government of the then-Czechoslovakia. Past and present students will re-enact a Prague march that started the events. The Communist Party announced it would relinquish power after hundreds of thousands demonstrated for 12 days. The dissident playwright Vaclav Havel, who led the revolution before becoming president, is to attend a Prague rock concert as part of the celebrations. At a Prague concert organised by Mr Havel over the weekend, US President Barack Obama broadcast a video message saying: “Your spirit, your courage inspired the world”. False rumours Students are set to gather in Prague’s Albertov district – home to several faculties of Charles University – to retrace the steps of a march on 17 November 1989 that changed the course of Czechoslovak history. VELVET TIMELINE 17 November 1989: Prague university speeches inspire thousands of students to march towards city centre’s Wenceslas Square 17-18 November: police crackdown triggers fervent protests 27 November: Two-hour general strike observed nationwide 28 November: Communist party announces it will relinquish power 5 December: New government installed 29 December: Vaclav Havel elected president by a parliament still dominated by communist hard-liners The theatre behind the revolution The gathering began as an officially-sanctioned demonstration, but several thousand students broke off and tried to reach the city’s Wenceslas Square. On a nearby street they were surrounded by riot police and beaten. False rumours – possibly planted by the communist secret police – that one of the students had been killed sent a wave of anger through Czechoslovak society that prompted the 12 days of angry demonstrations. The date is now a public holiday, and for most Czechs and Slovaks, an opportunity to celebrate twenty years of freedom and democracy.

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Prague to mark Velvet Revolution