Podcasts about Prague Spring

Series on the history of RPI -part 2. The turbulent years of the Prague Spring and the Soviet-led invasion.

Series on the history of RPI -part 2. The turbulent years of the Prague Spring and the Soviet-led invasion.

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.In this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I'm joined by Toronto writer and journalist Christine Fischer Guy, author of The Umbrella Mender and her new novel, The Instrument Must Not Matter.Christine's latest novel follows Lila, a gifted young classical pianist who leaves Toronto for New York City after being chosen to study with a prestigious mentor. It's an exciting opportunity, but also a terrifying one. Lila has to leave behind everything she knows and step into a world of artistic pressure, ambition, loneliness, and possibility.What I loved about this conversation is how Christine talks about the way her novels begin: with character. For The Instrument Must Not Matter, the spark came from walking past the statue of Glenn Gould outside the CBC building in Toronto. That small moment of curiosity led her into biographies, research, music, and eventually into the world of this novel.Christine isn't a classical pianist herself, but while writing the book, she took piano lessons and even learned to play a Bach Partita in C. I loved hearing about that kind of immersive research—the kind that lets a writer feel their way into a character's world, even when that world is technically demanding and unfamiliar.We also talk about the deeper family history behind the novel. Lila's grandmother was a violinist in Prague in 1968, when Soviet tanks rolled in after the Prague Spring. On the night before her planned debut, she goes out after curfew and plays the piece she was meant to perform—an act of artistic resistance that leads to her arrest and to a lifetime of silence as a musician.One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation is Christine's discussion of writing about music. Music exists beyond language, so how do you put that on the page? For Christine, part of the answer came through Lila's synesthesia. Lila experiences sound as colour, which gives the novel a vivid, sensory way to bring music into language.And of course, we talk about the writing process. Christine describes herself as a discovery writer. She doesn't begin with an outline. Instead, she writes a messy first draft to find out what happens, then shapes the book through revision. The Instrument Must Not Matter took ten years and at least ten major revisions, including one big change: in the first draft, the pianist was a man. When the protagonist became a young woman, the story truly opened up.This is such a generous conversation about research, revision, artistic courage, and trusting the long process of writing a novel.For any writer who is deep in the messy middle of a project, I think you'll find real comfort here. Some books take the time they take—and sometimes, the long way through is exactly what allows the book to become its best self.

Bill Rapp is a historian, former member of the CIA and served as an advisor to several key decision makers in Washington, D.C. His latest book, A TURKISH TRIANGLE is available from Coffeetown Press. Please visit his website at billrappsbooks.com Spies, Lies and Private Eyes is copyrighted by Authors on the Air Global Radio Network #authorsofinstagram #authorinterview #writingcommunity #authorsontheair#suspensebooks#authorssupportingauthors #thrillerbooks #suspense #wip#writers#writersinspiration #books#bookrecommendations #bookaddict #bookaddicted#bookaddiction #bibliophile #read#amreading #lovetoread #terrencemccauley#terrencemccauleybooks #bookouture #thrillers #TheTwilightTown #BillRapp #ThePragueSpring

Bill Rapp is a historian, former member of the CIA and served as an advisor to several key decision makers in Washington, D.C. His latest book, A TURKISH TRIANGLE is available from Coffeetown Press. Please visit his website at billrappsbooks.com Spies, Lies and Private Eyes is copyrighted by Authors on the Air Global Radio Network #authorsofinstagram #authorinterview #writingcommunity #authorsontheair#suspensebooks#authorssupportingauthors #thrillerbooks #suspense #wip#writers#writersinspiration #books#bookrecommendations #bookaddict #bookaddicted#bookaddiction #bibliophile #read#amreading #lovetoread #terrencemccauley#terrencemccauleybooks #bookouture #thrillers #TheTwilightTown #BillRapp #ThePragueSpring

“I'm very ashamed for my club”: Slavia fan on shocking derby scenes, Czech-Italian Nico Moro sets off on another epic walk for a cause, Barbara Hannigan, Sir Simon Rattle and composer Unsuk Chin among highlights of Prague Spring 2026

“I'm very ashamed for my club”: Slavia fan on shocking derby scenes, Czech-Italian Nico Moro sets off on another epic walk for a cause, Barbara Hannigan, Sir Simon Rattle and composer Unsuk Chin among highlights of Prague Spring 2026

"Ideas are more powerful than all the armies of the world. Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come." Victor Hugo's observation resonates with Lawrence Reed, FEE's President Emeritus and author of the forthcoming Born of Ideas, who traces his liberty awakening to 1968 when Soviet tanks crushed Prague Spring. Then, he was a 14-year-old watching people who simply wanted to speak their minds get destroyed for demanding basic rights. Now, nearly 60 years into his "otherwise unemployable" career advancing liberty, Larry argues that July 4, 1776 was "this incredible combination...like a thunderclap" where "men and women of solid character" met "revolutionary ideas" about human rights. Larry teaches students that ideas—not institutions, media, or parents—determine "whether people live in a free society or an unfree society," but close behind ideas is character: "people who don't have high character...they're not likely to be free. They're not fit to be free." Free speech, he argues, is "the verbal manifestation of the freedom to think"—without it "you might as well be a robot," or in North Korea where "just thinking something and saying it can get you thrown in prison or worse." Addressing critics who dismiss the founders for not abolishing slavery immediately, Larry warns against "presentism"—judging the past by present standards, comparing it to putting the Wright Brothers in a courtroom asking "what good are you?" because their plane lacked tray tables and Wi-Fi. In closing, he offers inspiration from Valley Forge: those soldiers weren't freezing and starving for iPhones or gourmet meals but "for a principle of individual liberty. That's exciting stuff. Life without liberty is just absolutely unthinkable."Delve deeper into Larry's work at: https://www.lawrencewreed.com/

What would you risk to escape a totalitarian state—and how long would you be willing to wait? In this gripping episode, Peter Kasl, author of Escaping the Grip of Eastern European Communism, tells the extraordinary true story of his family's escape from behind the Iron Curtain. Born into a country transformed by repression after the 1968 Prague Spring and the Soviet invasion, Peter grew up in a world of fear, surveillance, and whispered conversations. He recounts how his uncle's defection marked the entire family as enemies of the state, triggering interrogations, lost opportunities, and constant pressure to conform. As a child, Peter learned early what could—and could not—be said, even at school. Over 13 long years, his parents quietly and meticulously planned their escape, knowing that a single mistake could mean prison, separation, or worse. Peter describes the deception, the danger, and the emotional cost of leaving everything behind—family, home, and country—in a desperate bid for freedom. This is a powerful firsthand account of life under communism, the courage it takes to resist it, and the life-changing journey from oppression to opportunity. A story of fear, faith, resilience, and the pursuit of freedom—this is Cold War history told by someone who lived it Episode extras ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode439 The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You'll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you'll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/⁠ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠ CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION Follow us on BlueSky ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠ Follow us on Threads ⁠https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations⁠ Follow us on Twitter ⁠https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod⁠ Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/⁠ Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/⁠ Youtube ⁠https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations⁠   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

January 5, 1968. January 5th, 1968. Slovak reformer Alexander Dubček rises to power in Czechoslovakia, sparking a brief but remarkable wave of freedom called the 'Prague Spring'. Support the show! Join Into History for ad-free listening and more. History Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser. Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.

Czechtember 2025 kicks off with Cosy Dens (AKA Pelíšky), Jan Hřebejk's bittersweet 1999 coming-of-age dramedy adapted from Petr Šabach's novel Hovno Hoří (Shit on Fire). Written by Petr Jarchovský, the film unfolds between Christmas 1967 and the Prague Spring of 1968, chronicling the warmth, absurdity, and heartbreak of two neighboring families caught between tradition, rebellion, and history itself.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.patreon.com/projectionbooth 

IntroductionEach year millions of tourists visit the Czech capital, awed by its blend of architectural styles and dramatic landscape. St. Vitus's Gothic cathedral towers above the Charles Bridge and the Vltava River, while winding alleys lead to elegant squares lined with Renaissance palaces, Baroque statues, and modern glass structures. Yet this beauty obscures centuries of conflict — ethnic, religious, political, and more typically mundane conflicts— beginning when Prague was just a fort on a hill above a river. Presumably it wasn't built there for the view.In her new book, Prague: The Heart of Europe, Cynthia Paces traces the city's history from the late ninth century, when Slavic dukes built the first fortifications and church, through eleven centuries of triumph and tragedy. Prague has been both an imperial center of a great empire and a city on the periphery of empires—several of them. It became a European capital of art, politics, and pilgrimage, endured religious wars and defenestrations, and was nearly destroyed in the Thirty Years' War. At the beginning of the twentieth century it was celebrated as a beacon of democracy, only for its citizens to endure violent antisemitism, Nazi occupation, and communist repression — before once again becoming a beacon of democracy.Through her story of Prague we come to understand the truth of Franz Kafka's observation: “Prague does not let go; this little mother has claws.” Our conversation moves across centuries of wars, saints, emperors, rebellions, and revolutions to show why Prague still grips the imagination.About the GuestCynthia Paces is Professor of History at The College of New Jersey. She is the author of Prague Panoramas: National Memory and Sacred Space in the Twentieth Century and co-editor of 1989: The End of the Twentieth Century.For Further InvestigationCynthia Paces, Prague: The Heart of Europe (Oxford University Press, 2025)—Prague Panoramas: National Memory and Sacred Space in the Twentieth Century (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2009)Chad Bryant, Prague in Black: Nazi Rule and Czech Nationalism (Harvard University Press, 2007)Derek Sayer, Prague, Capital of the Twentieth Century: A Surrealist History (Princeton University Press, 2013)Related Episodes“Edges are Interesting: A History of Eastern Europe”“City of Light, City of Darkness”“Madrid”Listen & DiscussHow does Prague's geography help explain its importance across European history?What does the Prague Spring reveal about the continuing interplay in Prague's history of freedom, repression, and resilience? Share the podcast with someone who has visited Prague, or who has always meant to.

Czechtember 2025 kicks off with Cosy Dens (AKA Pelíšky), Jan Hřebejk's bittersweet 1999 coming-of-age dramedy adapted from Petr Šabach's novel Hovno Hoří (Shit on Fire). Written by Petr Jarchovský, the film unfolds between Christmas 1967 and the Prague Spring of 1968, chronicling the warmth, absurdity, and heartbreak of two neighboring families caught between tradition, rebellion, and history itself.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.Become a supporter of The Projection Booth at http://www.patreon.com/projectionbooth 

In the final episode of our Czechoslovak Socialism series, we dive into the final attempt to reform the Czechoslovak system. As with the Prague Spring, the official ML/liberal narrative about are the same, that this was an attempt to overthrow socialism and establish a capitalist democracy. Just like the Prague Spring, it seems clear that the intentions of its participants were the opposite. The vast majority of Czechoslovaks who participated in the movements that brought down the republic were attempting to reform the socialist system, not destroy it.Krapfl, James. Revolution with a Human Face Politics, Culture, and Community in Czechoslovakia, 1989–1992. Cornell University Press, 2017.Scott Brown. “Prelude to a Divorce? The Prague Spring as Dress Rehearsal for Czechoslovakia's ‘Velvet Divorce.'” Europe-Asia Studies 60, no. 10 (2008): 1783–1804.Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the show

News; interview with the programme director of Prague Spring music festival; Czech cavers navigate country's longest underground traverse in Moravia; Variety journalist Steven Gaydos remembers the late Jiří Bartoška.

Katarina Gephardt, editor of the compendium "Home and the World in Slovak Writing", presented the method of focusing on historical events - such as the condemnation of Stalin's personality cult, the Prague Spring and the Velvet Revolution - that have shaped the Slovak literary canon. Senior radio editor and producer Tomas Bartonek talks about the "Golden Fond" project, in which public radio is reviving the results of the "hay day" of radio play production in Slovakia. Cultural tips for Febiofest IFF, Moyzes Quartet concert, innovative display of traditional wirework and more.

Nick talks to the author & reporter John Sweeney who is on the ground in KyivNick Cohen and John Sweeney discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the implications of Donald Trump's apparent betrayal of Ukraine - as further revealed by the despicable ambush by Donald Trump & his side kick vice-president J.D.Vance.Trump is now "Leader of the unfree world "John Sweeney talks to Nick about the current situation in Ukraine and compares the current situation there to previous historical events such as to the Hungarian uprising in 1956 and the Prague Spring in 1968. John expresses his deep concern about the betrayal of America's support for Russia. John, who is currently based in Kyiv, shared his observations about the Ukrainian people's resilience and unity behind President Zelenskyy. They also discussed the postponement of elections in Ukraine, drawing parallels with Britain's decision not to hold elections during World War 2. They discuss focus the alarming support of Russia by Trump, now touted as the leader of the "unfree world."Ukraine's growing and under-estimated military prowessJohn talks about Russia's invasion & the potential influence of Russian interference in the US political system, as well as the potential for peace talks and the role of the United States under Trump's leadership.They discuss current geopolitical situation, the potential consequences of Trump's actions, and the resilience of Ukraine in the face of adversity. John also talks of the My Room Clinic with Ukrainian soldiers, the effectiveness of Ukraine's jamming of Russia's glide bomb. Ukraine has made astonishing advances in drone technology- producing approximately 2 million a year and is stockpiling Patriot missiles for future use against potential Russian attacks. Fearing the worst of Trump and his relish for appeasement, President Biden managed to provide huge amounts of military aid before he left office.What does Putin have on Trump?John discusses the revelations and allegations of the so-called Steele dossier - compiled by former Mi6 Moscow desk chief Christopher Steele - and whether the Kremlin has blackmailed Trump into doing its bidding. John says he investigated what turn out to be - so far, at least - unsubstantiated rumours that a Putin ex-mistress later rocked up at Trump Tower where she shacked up with Trump.Read all about itJohn is a distinguished broadcaster and author. His latest book is Murder in the Gulag the explosive account of how Putin poisoned Alexei Navalny. Another of John's most recent must reads is best-seller on Putin, The Killer in the Kremlin, published by Headline Press.Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we discussed the thought of one of 20th-century Marxism's socialist opponents, Tomáš Masaryk. Masaryk was reviled by Czech communists until they appropriated him and he was an opponent of capitalism until the champions of capitalism did the same. He was a social democrat with an ethical and Christian-humanist vision of socialism that inspired the Prague Spring but was later coopted by the opponents of the working class and human liberation. A State without Suicidehttps://www.commonwealmagazine.org/state-without-suicide Betts, R. R. “Masaryk's Philosophy of History.” The Slavonic and East European Review 26, no. 66 (1947): 30–43. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4203912.Kohak, Erazim. “T. G. Masaryk's Revision of Marxism.” Journal of the History of Ideas 25, no. 4 (1964): 519–42. https://doi.org/10.2307/2708184. Kovác, Dusan. "World Revolution — Tomás Garrigue Masaryk and Vladimir Ilyich Lenin" Human Affairs 1, no. 1 (1991): 22-29. https://doi.org/10.1515/humaff-1991-010105Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, and Karel Čapek. Talks with T.G. Masaryk. Catbird Press, 1995.Winters, Stanley B, Robert B Pynsent, and Harry Hanak. T.G. Masaryk (1850-1937).: Thinker and Critic. Palgrave Macmillan , 1989.Send us a textSupport the show

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Andrea Chandler to talk about her new book with CEU Press, Canada and Eastern Europe, 1945–1991: Meeting in the Middle. In the podcast we talked about why the relations between Canada and the countries of the Eastern bloc have so far been underreseached, about the large Central and Eastern European diaspora in Canada and their role in shaping foreign policy, and also about Canada's reaction to the 1956 revolution in Hungary and the 1968 Prague Spring. You can purchase a physical copy here. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/  Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Andrea Chandler to talk about her new book with CEU Press, Canada and Eastern Europe, 1945–1991: Meeting in the Middle. In the podcast we talked about why the relations between Canada and the countries of the Eastern bloc have so far been underreseached, about the large Central and Eastern European diaspora in Canada and their role in shaping foreign policy, and also about Canada's reaction to the 1956 revolution in Hungary and the 1968 Prague Spring. You can purchase a physical copy here. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/  Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Andrea Chandler to talk about her new book with CEU Press, Canada and Eastern Europe, 1945–1991: Meeting in the Middle. In the podcast we talked about why the relations between Canada and the countries of the Eastern bloc have so far been underreseached, about the large Central and Eastern European diaspora in Canada and their role in shaping foreign policy, and also about Canada's reaction to the 1956 revolution in Hungary and the 1968 Prague Spring. You can purchase a physical copy here. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/  Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/russian-studies

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Andrea Chandler to talk about her new book with CEU Press, Canada and Eastern Europe, 1945–1991: Meeting in the Middle. In the podcast we talked about why the relations between Canada and the countries of the Eastern bloc have so far been underreseached, about the large Central and Eastern European diaspora in Canada and their role in shaping foreign policy, and also about Canada's reaction to the 1956 revolution in Hungary and the 1968 Prague Spring. You can purchase a physical copy here. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/  Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Andrea Chandler to talk about her new book with CEU Press, Canada and Eastern Europe, 1945–1991: Meeting in the Middle. In the podcast we talked about why the relations between Canada and the countries of the Eastern bloc have so far been underreseached, about the large Central and Eastern European diaspora in Canada and their role in shaping foreign policy, and also about Canada's reaction to the 1956 revolution in Hungary and the 1968 Prague Spring. You can purchase a physical copy here. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/  Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Andrea Chandler to talk about her new book with CEU Press, Canada and Eastern Europe, 1945–1991: Meeting in the Middle. In the podcast we talked about why the relations between Canada and the countries of the Eastern bloc have so far been underreseached, about the large Central and Eastern European diaspora in Canada and their role in shaping foreign policy, and also about Canada's reaction to the 1956 revolution in Hungary and the 1968 Prague Spring. You can purchase a physical copy here. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/  Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What says “Merry Christmas” more than a sexy tale of infidelity and alienation set against the backdrop of soviet invasion and oppression?  In the Criterion Collection?  Not much. Join us as we discuss Phillip Kaufman's adaptation of Milan Kundera's novel of Prague Spring and its aftermath, starring some distractingly beautiful people. Join the Random Acts of Cinema Discord server here! *Come support the podcast and get yourself or someone you love a random gift at our merch store.  T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers, and more! If you'd like to watch ahead for next week's film, we will be discussing and reviewing Nobuhiko Obayashi's House (1977).

A compelling cinematic adaptation of an academic study of social justice movements.SUPPORT THE SHOW: PATREONFOLLOW THE SHOW: INSTAGRAM // TWITTER // TIKTOK // YOUTUBEEMAIL THE SHOW: abreathoffreshmovie@gmail.com  SHOP THE SHOW: TEE PUBLIC 

In the late 1960s European club football competitions were thriving However unexpected events in 1968 threatened its survival. I delve into the fascinating world of European football during the Cold War era with Craig McCracken, a self-described peddler and purveyor of quasi obscure retro football nostalgia via the 'Beyond The Last Man' blog. We explore the political tensions that influenced European football in the 1960s, and the dramatic events of 1968 when the Prague Spring was crushed by Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces. Discover how these geopolitical events impacted clubs like Celtic, the Milan clubs, and Real Madrid, and the unprecedented decisions UEFA had to make. This episode is a gripping tale of football, politics, and the power struggles that shaped the beautiful game. Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode370 Craig's excellent blog https://beyondthelastman.com/ All our Cold War Sport episodes in one convenient playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2OoAtLN7sHYdCgCNhms1Kl?si=da05732a422a41f8   The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You'll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you'll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Continuing what has become a series on Czechoslovak Socialism, we dive into the attempt to reform the Czechoslovak system. The official ML narrative and the liberal narrative about the Prague Spring are the same, they say that it was an attempt to re-establish bourgeois democracy. However, it seems clear that the intentions of its participants were the opposite. They appear to have been a genuine attempt to revitalize and push forward the communist project. The Action Programme of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakiahttps://www.marxists.org/subject/czech/1968/action-programme.htmStoneman, Anna J. “Socialism With a Human Face: The Leadership and Legacy of the Prague Spring.” The History Teacher49, no. 1 (2015): 103–25. Prague Spring Archive at MIA (worth browsing for historical first impressions)https://www.marxists.org/subject/czech/index.htmThe Prague Spring of 1968: a glimpse of socialism?http://isj.org.uk/the-prague-spring/Liehm, A. J. (1978). The Prague Spring and Eurocommunism. International Journal, 33(4), 804. doi:10.2307/40201691Skilling, H. Gordon. "The Prague Spring Reassessed." Slavic Review 38, no. 4 (1979): 663-66. doi:10.2307/2496570.Reform and Counter-reform in Bureaucratic Powerhttps://www.cddc.vt.edu/sionline/si/reform.htmlMusic: Karel Kryl - Veličenstvo kat(English Translation)In a gloomy light of a gothic hallthe scared profiteers are gazing into their missalsand a horde of slayers is asking for blessingAfter all the first of the knights is his majesty executionerAaah look the first of the knights is his Majesty ExecutionerPriest – the devil who served the massis wearing a stole made from a hangmans slopeHaving a bottle of vitriol under the purple rochetThe smell of sulfur coming from the mortarsis crawling under the red hood of the first from all the knightshis Majesty ExecutionerAaah to the first of knights look it is his Majesty ExecutionerOn the national flag there isan emblem with guillotineAnd the barbed wiresmells by something decayedIn our region is a flock of raven nestingthe master hangman reigns these peopleThe king is kneeing infront of Sataneagers to have the sceptreAnd the rabble is hanging the wise councilat the plane treeAnd the heretic crowd is exhilarated and rejoicesAfter all the first of knights is his Majesty ExecutionerAaah the first of knights is his Majesty ExecutionerAt a streetcorner a murderer is holding a lecture about moralInfront of the prison's door the guardians are walkingFrom the military armour plate the black sign proclaimsthat the first of the knights is his Majesty ExecutionerAaah that the first of the knights is his Majesty ExecutionerOver the government palacerises the flag with guillotineThe children love the ice cream cornetsThe judges were upset about themso they killed their ice cream manA horrible state it was,as you had to watchthe writing beeing forbiddenand the singing beeing forbiddenAnd they didn't have enoughthey commanded the kidsto praSend us a textSupport the show

Rivky sits down with author Anika Pavel to talk about her life. She shares what it was like growing up under communism and how she was able to get out, why she doesn't believe in age when you're too young or too old and why she wanted to write a book you could easily put down. ANIKA PAVEL was born Jarmila Kocvarova in Czechoslovakia. What was intended as a one-year stay in England turned her into a refugee when the Soviet Union invaded her homeland, writing a bloody end to the Prague Spring. She received a crash course in life that took her from sleeping in a telephone booth at the Victoria railway station in London to waitressing, to the lights of the fashion runway, and on to magazine covers, even a James Bond appearance, under the more pronounceable moniker, Anika Pavel. When the lights had dimmed, she returned to her first love, writing. Her work has been published in print, online and nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Anikapavel.com  Click here to book your private in studio shopping appointment. Click here to see the Impact Fashion collection. Click here to get an Impact Fashion Gift Card Click here to get the Am Yisrael Chai crewneck. Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to take a short survey about this podcast and get a 10% off coupon code as my thanks

Story 209.4 - The Prague Spring part four August 1968. Czechoslovakia is enjoying a period of political liberalisation. Alexander Dubček is trying to secure his country greater liberties, but it will come at a cost. When the TARDIS brings the Doctor and Kim-Ly to Prague, this freedom is nearly at an end, and the travellers are able to see life on the cusp of the Soviet invasion. Married couple Ludvik and Jozka want to play music and raise their daughter, but the threat of conflict is forcing them to decide how far they will go to keep their family safe. Hapless diplomat Alistair wants to make a difference, but his boss, Valentine, refuses to intervene, and he's worried that the woman he loves is getting involved in dangerous matters. But it isn't only the advance of the Red Army that they have to worry about: the alien Koe-Maw are also visiting Prague, and the Doctor wonders whether their promise of salvation is all it seems. As a dark day approaches, can the Doctor and Kim-Ly keep the Czech people from making a cataclysmic mistake that would change the fate of not only the Prague Spring, but of the entire world?

“Freedom is closely linked to unpredictability,” said Yale Historian Timothy Snyder at a Prague conference titled Borders of (Un)Freedom. The conference, organized by Czech Radio and Václav Havel Library, began with live recordings of the podcasts Error of the System (Chyba systému), which focused on the growth of the far right, and To the East! and Rewrite History (Na Východ! a Přepište dějiny), which focused on the crushing of the Prague Spring.

Story 209.3 - The Prague Spring part three August 1968. Czechoslovakia is enjoying a period of political liberalisation. Alexander Dubček is trying to secure his country greater liberties, but it will come at a cost. When the TARDIS brings the Doctor and Kim-Ly to Prague, this freedom is nearly at an end, and the travellers are able to see life on the cusp of the Soviet invasion. Married couple Ludvik and Jozka want to play music and raise their daughter, but the threat of conflict is forcing them to decide how far they will go to keep their family safe. Hapless diplomat Alistair wants to make a difference, but his boss, Valentine, refuses to intervene, and he's worried that the woman he loves is getting involved in dangerous matters. But it isn't only the advance of the Red Army that they have to worry about: the alien Koe-Maw are also visiting Prague, and the Doctor wonders whether their promise of salvation is all it seems. As a dark day approaches, can the Doctor and Kim-Ly keep the Czech people from making a cataclysmic mistake that would change the fate of not only the Prague Spring, but of the entire world?

Story 209.2 - The Prague Spring part one August 1968. Czechoslovakia is enjoying a period of political liberalisation. Alexander Dubček is trying to secure his country greater liberties, but it will come at a cost. When the TARDIS brings the Doctor and Kim-Ly to Prague, this freedom is nearly at an end, and the travellers are able to see life on the cusp of the Soviet invasion Married couple Ludvik and Jozka want to play music and raise their daughter, but the threat of conflict is forcing them to decide how far they will go to keep their family safe. Hapless diplomat Alistair wants to make a difference, but his boss, Valentine, refuses to intervene, and he's worried that the woman he loves is getting involved in dangerous matters. But it isn't only the advance of the Red Army that they have to worry about: the alien Koe-Maw are also visiting Prague, and the Doctor wonders whether their promise of salvation is all it seems. As a dark day approaches, can the Doctor and Kim-Ly keep the Czech people from making a cataclysmic mistake that would change the fate of not only the Prague Spring, but of the entire world?

Story 209.1 - The Prague Spring part one August 1968. Czechoslovakia is enjoying a period of political liberalisation. Alexander Dubček is trying to secure his country greater liberties, but it will come at a cost. When the TARDIS brings the Doctor and Kim-Ly to Prague, this freedom is nearly at an end, and the travellers are able to see life on the cusp of the Soviet invasion Married couple Ludvik and Jozka want to play music and raise their daughter, but the threat of conflict is forcing them to decide how far they will go to keep their family safe. Hapless diplomat Alistair wants to make a difference, but his boss, Valentine, refuses to intervene, and he's worried that the woman he loves is getting involved in dangerous matters. But it isn't only the advance of the Red Army that they have to worry about: the alien Koe-Maw are also visiting Prague, and the Doctor wonders whether their promise of salvation is all it seems. As a dark day approaches, can the Doctor and Kim-Ly keep the Czech people from making a cataclysmic mistake that would change the fate of not only the Prague Spring, but of the entire world?

News; NATO meeting of foreign ministers; Prague Spring to host unique concert for 50 pianos; Interview with Civic Democratic Party EP election candidate Ondřej Krutílek

August 1968. Czechoslovakia is enjoying a period of political liberalisation. Alexander Dubček is trying to secure his country greater liberties, but it will come at a cost. When the TARDIS brings the Doctor and Kim-Ly to Prague, this freedom is nearly at an end, and the travellers are able to see life on the cusp of the Soviet invasion.  Married couple Ludvik and Jozka want to play music and raise their daughter, but the threat of conflict is forcing them to decide how far they will go to keep their family safe. Hapless diplomat Alistair wants to make a difference, but his boss, Valentine, refuses to intervene, and he's worried that the woman he loves is getting involved in dangerous matters.  But it isn't only the advance of the Red Army that they have to worry about: the alien Koe-Maw are also visiting Prague, and the Doctor wonders whether their promise of salvation is all it seems. As a dark day approaches, can the Doctor and Kim-Ly keep the Czech people from making a cataclysmic mistake that would change the fate of not only the Prague Spring, but of the entire world?

News; debut directors, Geoffrey Rush and “Pig Slaughter” set for Karlovy Vary film festival; concert performance of Libuše to mark Smetana's 200th anniversary at Prague Spring festival; interview with Mayors and Independents EP election leader Danuše Nerudová

Do you want to get that 5?  Enter code “GO4FIVE” at checkout for 25% OFF the Lyndeurozone Online Resources! Online access expires June 15th, 2024. In this episode we look at the concept of “Detente,” Brezhnev Doctrine, Prague Spring, and the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan and examine how increased military spending will weaken the Soviet Union's economy. Lyndeurozone.com  Patreon If you use this podcast regularly would you please consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as a dollar a month?  The Euro Simplified Podcast has no advertising revenue and is produced by a public school teacher.  We love and appreciate our supporters on Patreon as our supporters help us meet the costs associated with the production of this free resource for students. Episodes will be released on the following schedule: Unit 1 and Unit 2 - August/September Unit 3: October Unit 4: November Unit 5: November and December Unit 6: January Unit 7: Late January & February Unit 8 : March Unit 9: April   If you have any questions you can contact Robert Lynde at Lyndeurozone.com.

Welcome Back! Sean and Claude took a little Spring Break and we hope you were able to do the same. For our 70th episode, we take a peek at two films that involve couples dealing with life on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Part One features The Unbearable Lightness of Being, directed by Philip Kaufman and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Juliette Binoche and Lena Olin. In this film we have a couple who find themselves going from the Prague Spring to the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia and the events afterward. How they deal with life, love and the things that are thrown their way, you'll find quite touching. In Part Two, we'll look at a rather star-crossed couple that finds itself on opposite sides of many different lines, in 2018's Cold War. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wordsandmovies/support

Within just a few years of Stalin's death in 1953, the Soviet Union had sent the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into orbit. An era of renewal and excitement beckoned. Speaking to Danny Bird, Robert Hornsby tells the story of how Soviet society embraced the 1960s – from new prospects for women, to faith in the energy of the young – before the era's promise was snuffed out by the Prague Spring of 1968. (Ad) Robert Hornsby is the author of The Soviet Sixties (Yale University Press, 2023). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soviet-Sixties-Robert-Hornsby/dp/0300250525/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The familiar story of Soviet power in Cold War Eastern Europe focuses on political repression and military force. But in Empire of Friends: Soviet Power and Socialist Internationalism in Cold War Czechoslovakia (Cornell University Press, 2019), Rachel Applebaum shows how the Soviet Union simultaneously promoted a policy of transnational friendship with its Eastern Bloc satellites to create a cohesive socialist world. This friendship project resulted in a new type of imperial control based on cross-border contacts between ordinary citizens. In a new and fascinating story of cultural diplomacy, interpersonal relations, and the trade of consumer-goods, Applebaum tracks the rise and fall of the friendship project in Czechoslovakia, as the country evolved after World War II from the Soviet Union's most loyal satellite to its most rebellious. Throughout Eastern Europe, the friendship project shaped the most intimate aspects of people's lives, influencing everything from what they wore to where they traveled to whom they married. Applebaum argues that in Czechoslovakia, socialist friendship was surprisingly durable, capable of surviving the ravages of Stalinism and the Soviet invasion that crushed the 1968 Prague Spring. Eventually, the project became so successful that it undermined the very alliance it was designed to support: as Soviets and Czechoslovaks got to know one another, they discovered important cultural and political differences that contradicted propaganda about a cohesive socialist world. Empire of Friends reveals that the sphere of everyday life was central to the construction of the transnational socialist system in Eastern Europe―and, ultimately, its collapse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The familiar story of Soviet power in Cold War Eastern Europe focuses on political repression and military force. But in Empire of Friends: Soviet Power and Socialist Internationalism in Cold War Czechoslovakia (Cornell University Press, 2019), Rachel Applebaum shows how the Soviet Union simultaneously promoted a policy of transnational friendship with its Eastern Bloc satellites to create a cohesive socialist world. This friendship project resulted in a new type of imperial control based on cross-border contacts between ordinary citizens. In a new and fascinating story of cultural diplomacy, interpersonal relations, and the trade of consumer-goods, Applebaum tracks the rise and fall of the friendship project in Czechoslovakia, as the country evolved after World War II from the Soviet Union's most loyal satellite to its most rebellious. Throughout Eastern Europe, the friendship project shaped the most intimate aspects of people's lives, influencing everything from what they wore to where they traveled to whom they married. Applebaum argues that in Czechoslovakia, socialist friendship was surprisingly durable, capable of surviving the ravages of Stalinism and the Soviet invasion that crushed the 1968 Prague Spring. Eventually, the project became so successful that it undermined the very alliance it was designed to support: as Soviets and Czechoslovaks got to know one another, they discovered important cultural and political differences that contradicted propaganda about a cohesive socialist world. Empire of Friends reveals that the sphere of everyday life was central to the construction of the transnational socialist system in Eastern Europe―and, ultimately, its collapse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

The familiar story of Soviet power in Cold War Eastern Europe focuses on political repression and military force. But in Empire of Friends: Soviet Power and Socialist Internationalism in Cold War Czechoslovakia (Cornell University Press, 2019), Rachel Applebaum shows how the Soviet Union simultaneously promoted a policy of transnational friendship with its Eastern Bloc satellites to create a cohesive socialist world. This friendship project resulted in a new type of imperial control based on cross-border contacts between ordinary citizens. In a new and fascinating story of cultural diplomacy, interpersonal relations, and the trade of consumer-goods, Applebaum tracks the rise and fall of the friendship project in Czechoslovakia, as the country evolved after World War II from the Soviet Union's most loyal satellite to its most rebellious. Throughout Eastern Europe, the friendship project shaped the most intimate aspects of people's lives, influencing everything from what they wore to where they traveled to whom they married. Applebaum argues that in Czechoslovakia, socialist friendship was surprisingly durable, capable of surviving the ravages of Stalinism and the Soviet invasion that crushed the 1968 Prague Spring. Eventually, the project became so successful that it undermined the very alliance it was designed to support: as Soviets and Czechoslovaks got to know one another, they discovered important cultural and political differences that contradicted propaganda about a cohesive socialist world. Empire of Friends reveals that the sphere of everyday life was central to the construction of the transnational socialist system in Eastern Europe―and, ultimately, its collapse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/russian-studies

Hey everyone, here's the result of our first book club choice; as many of you pointed out this was a great choice to start with. I don't know if we're going to be able to be this in-depth with other books, so this format will probably change over time. Gotta start somewhere though, and I think this is a great way to deep dive into some of the history that is becoming important to understand a bit more clearly.Here's the youtube link for those that prefer that platform: https://youtu.be/XPbmbcZ0G6w00:00 - Introduction 02:11 - The Author and Sources 07:31 - Preface 08:43 - Breaking American Ciphers - And Starting a War 10:04 - Two Views of Culture 12:31 - Target: The American Embassy 16:48 - Inside a Deadly Purge 22:18 - Into Foreign Intelligence - And England 28:59 - A Mole and a Tunnel 33:54 - "Why Do You Need All Those People Here?" 36:10 - A Unique Look at the Hungarian Revolution 36:28 - Spy Center Vienna 36:54 - The KGB's Nazl Underground 38:46 - Richard Sorge Redux 39:55 - Organizing to Disinform 41:22 - Active Measures 43:27 - "How Could CIA Ever Have Believed in Than Man?" 47:54 - The Top Hat Paradox 49:47 - Prague Spring at the Politburo 50:26 - Other Places 51:08 - The Irony of Helsinki and Watching it End 51:44 - Epilogue and Appendix 52:50 - Closing Thoughts and Comments  Notes and Corrections: *16:09 - Not American, he was Swedish.

Agnieszka Holland is perhaps best known for her films Europa Europa, Angry Harvest and In Darkness, as well as adaptations of The Secret Garden and Washington Square. Her latest film, Green Border, about the Syrian refugee crisis along Poland's border with Belarus, is having its North American premiere at TIFF. In 2013, she spoke to Eleanor Wachtel about her three-part series, Burning Bush, set during the Prague Spring. *This episode originally aired Dec. 17, 2013.

A new Russian history textbook for 11th graders announced earlier this summer, “The History of Russia, 1945 to the Start of the 21st Century,” has almost 30 pages devoted directly to explaining and especially to justifying the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The whole textbook is 448 pages: There are 264 pages covering the post-war Soviet period, 48 pages about Russia in the 1990s, and 94 pages about the Putin era. Vladimir Putin's name appears on about 40 different pages (sometimes more than once), while Stalin and Stalinism show up on nearly 60 pages. The Special Military Operation chapter concludes with this whopper of a paragraph: “But one this is clear: That Russia has always had, has, and will have the valor, dignity, honor, and loyalty to oath of our soldiers and volunteer fighters, doctors, teachers, builders, and aid workers. They are the true, not invented, heroes of our time. They're around us and among us. They are an example of honor, courage, and faith in the righteousness of our cause. Their names and their daily feats join the thousand-year annals of Russian history with the deeds of millions of their heroic forebearers. It has always been so in the history of our Motherland. And so it will be. Always.” To learn about why this textbook was written, what it says about contemporary events, and how the Putin regime intends to use it, Meduza spoke to three experts: historian Artem Efimov, who serves the editor-in-chief of Meduza's Signal newsletter, College of West Anglia historian James Pearce (author of “The Use of History in Putin's Russia”), and University of Oxford Professor Polly Jones, who's currently completing a book titled “Gulag Fiction.” Timestamps for this episode: (5:45) The textbook's authors: Vladimir Medinsky, Anatoly Torkunov, and Alexander Chubaryan (11:40) Long-standing trends in how Russian history is taught in grade schools (15:19) Guessing at Putin's thought process on a unified history textbook (23:00) Whitewashing Stalinism? (25:50) The Suez Crisis, the Berlin Crisis, the Hungarian Revolution, the Prague Spring (31:57) Teaching history to teenagersКак поддержать нашу редакцию — даже если вы в России и вам очень страшно

Chas, Christian, Rudy, and James come together to delve into a comprehensive conversation about the Prague Spring, a significant Czechoslovak reform movement. Their discussion begins by tracing the roots of Czechoslovak communism, recounting the post-World War II Communist ascension to power, and elaborating on the gradual and intricate reform drive that eventually culminated in Dubček's rise to leadership during the Prague Spring of 1968. Subsequently, they explore the ideologies championed by key reformists, analyze the factors that prompted the Soviet Union's intervention, and dissect the shortcomings of the USSR's intervention strategy. Lastly, the conversation concludes by dissecting the reformers' envisioned goals and actual accomplishments. Bibliography: G. Golan - Reform Rule in Czechoslovakia: The Dubcek Era 1968–1969 J. Krejčí - Social Change and Stratification in Postwar Czechoslovakia V. Kusin - The Intellectual Origins of the Prague Spring: The Development of Reformist Ideas in Czechoslovakia, 1956-1967 V. Kusin - From Dubcek to Charter 77: A Study of 'Normalization' in Czechoslovakia, 1968-1978 Z. Mlynář - Nightfrost in Prague: The end of humane socialism O. Šik - Czechoslovakia: The Bureaucratic Economy. I. Svitak - The Czechoslovak Experiment: 1968 - 1969 K. Williams - The Prague Spring and its Aftermath: Czechoslovak Politics, 1968-1970

I speak with author Ethan Scheiner whose book “Freedom to Win” describes the gripping story of a group of small-town young men who would lead their underdog hockey team from Czechoslovakia against the Soviet Union, the juggernaut in their sport. In 1968 Czechoslovakia is experiencing the Prague Spring, an attempt to moderate and soften communism. However, a sudden invasion by 500,000 Warsaw Pact soldiers halts the reforms. We hear the inspiring story of how the young players of the national hockey team battle the Soviets on the ice to keep their people's quest for freedom alive and forge a way to fight back against the authoritarian forces that sought to crush them. Buy the book here and support the podcast https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781639363513 Book giveaway entry info here https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway/ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You'll become part of our community and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you'll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Extra episode information https://coldwarconversations.com/episode298/ Prague Spring and Cold War Czechoslovakia episodes https://coldwarconversations.com/tag/czechoslovakia/ Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we look at the concept of “Detente,” Brezhnev Doctrine, Prague Spring, and the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan and examine how increased military spending will weaken the Soviet Union's economy. Do you want to get that 5?  Enter code “GO4FIVE” at checkout for 25% OFF the Lyndeurozone Online Resources! Online access expires June 15th, 2023. Lyndeurozone.com  Patreon If you use this podcast regularly would you please consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as a dollar a month?  The Euro Simplified Podcast has no advertising revenue and is produced by a public school teacher.  We love and appreciate our supporters on Patreon as our supporters help us meet the costs associated with the production of this free resource for students. Episodes will be released on the following schedule: Unit 1 and Unit 2 - August/September Unit 3: October Unit 4: November Unit 5: November and December Unit 6: January Unit 7: Late January & February Unit 8 : March Unit 9: April   If you have any questions you can contact Robert Lynde at Lyndeurozone.com.   Instagram: @Lyndeurozone