Velvet Revolution
On November 17, Slovakia and the Czech Republic mark 30 years since the Velvet Revolution, a wave of demonstrations that toppled the communist regime in Czechoslovakia in 1989.
The 1989 Velvet Revolution
In the north-eastern settlements of Slovakia, people did not know who Havel was
One of the organisers of the Velvet Revolution in Bardejov reminisces about November 1989.Peter Kováčik17. Nov 2020, at 13:50
Pandemic is the hardest test since 1989. Let's stick together
President Zuzana Čaputová addressed the nation on the eve of the 31st anniversary of the Velvet Revolution.Michaela Terenzani, 16. Nov 2020, at 21:06
Slovak for Congress: Krupina native makes a splash on Arizona’s political scene
Because of Trump’s dealings with Putin, all eastern Europeans are considered Russians because people don’t distinguish accents, says politician Eva Putzova.Anna Fay, 22. Jul 2020, at 12:42
Katarína Kaszasová: From dissident’s granddaughter to Slovakia’s top auditor
Auditors are like detectives, says head of Auditing Oversight Authority.Jana Liptáková, 19. May 2020, at 9:41
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How we stopped being comrades
Freedom is not a birthright. No generation receives freedom ready-made and perfect: pre-prepared for consumption.Beata Balogová, 6. Apr 2020, at 13:29
Book about communist Czechoslovakia honours the Slovak journey
Authors Zuzana Palovic and Gabriela Bereghazyova were born behind the Iron Curtain but raised in a free world.Anna Fay, 1. Feb 2020, at 16:44
What the president said about the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution
Someone attempted to shake the foundations and we are still able to argue about ornaments. Read the whole speech of President Zuzana Čaputová.Zuzana Čaputová18. Nov 2019, at 15:10
Blog: 30 years after the Velvet Revolution, we still haven't found a Slovak original
November 17, 1989 was all about giving another chance to dreams stolen in 1948 and 1968.Andrea Sadloňová18. Nov 2019, at 14:38
Crossing the Slovak-Austrian border has never become a matter of course for me
How I ran for Mária Rozmaňová who was killed on the border in 1952.Jana Liptáková, 18. Nov 2019, at 14:16
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Čaputová on the anniversary: Democracy is an opportunity
Politicians celebrated 30 years of freedom, too.Compiled by Spectator staff, 18. Nov 2019, at 13:06
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For a Decent Slovakia gathering: The legacy of November 1989 lives on
The organisers and participants stressed the importance of the 2020 general election.Compiled by Spectator staff, 17. Nov 2019, at 20:20
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Freedom can be lost democratically, from the inside
Has the country survived the abductions of the state, the inoculation of Mečiar, Fico governments and the Kočner underworld without harm to democracy?Beata Balogová, 17. Nov 2019, at 18:46
Velvet Revolution Square takes its place in Bratislava
Part of SNP Square, where mass rallies against the communist regime took place 30 years ago, has been named after the Velvet Revolution.Compiled by Spectator staff, 16. Nov 2019, at 15:48
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1989 taught us that we the people are powerful
But it has taken us a long time to learn this lesson.Michaela Terenzani, 16. Nov 2019, at 13:00
How the Velvet Revolution happened (timeline)
Day-by-day overview of the fall of totalitarian regime in Czechoslovakia.Sme, UPN15. Nov 2019, at 12:00
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I was in the frontline because it reflected what I felt inside
One of the leaders of the 1989 student movement, Anton Popovič, remembers the fall of the totalitarian regime.Anton Popovič15. Nov 2019, at 12:00
spectacular slovakia podcast
The Velvet Revolution embodies a peaceful change
Professor Ľubica Lacinová remembers her life before and after 1989.Peter Dlhopolec, 14. Nov 2019, at 16:26
Audio
1989: I knew immediately that Sľúbili sme si lásku would be a hit
People in the streets weren’t damaged by the regime; it rather annoyed, tired and disgusted them, said the singer songwriter of the 1989 revolution anthem.Matúš Krčmárik14. Nov 2019, at 10:20
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The concentration of the automotive industry is now the Achilles’ heel of Slovakia
Former NBS governor Vladimir Masár was one of the people who facilitated Slovakia’s transition to a market economy.Jana Liptáková, 12. Nov 2019, at 13:31
Interview
Prague was supposed to be a quiet posting when I arrived in 1987
A Canadian diplomat thinks back to his time in Czechoslovakia during the Velvet Revolution.Anna Fay, 11. Nov 2019, at 19:19
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- 1. Haščák of Penta detained and accused
- 2. Lockdown could be hard to avoid around Christmastime
- 3. How to enjoy Christmas in Bratislava even during the pandemic
- 4. News digest: High-profile arrests and discussion on reopening schools continues
- 5. News digest: Penta partner Haščák reportedly charged with corruption after a police raid
- 6. Everyone crossing the Slovak border should have a negative antigen test from December 7
- 7. Coronavirus in Slovakia: 1,982 new cases confirmed (graphs)
- 8. Ex-police chief Lučanský in handcuffs
- 9. Fico and Kotleba have not been fined for being maskless yet
- 10. Aupark shopping mall changing hands. Price will exceed all previous records
- 1. Haščák of Penta detained and accused
- 2. News digest: Penta partner Haščák reportedly charged with corruption after a police raid
- 3. Everyone crossing the Slovak border should have a negative antigen test from December 7
- 4. Don’t get lost in Bratislava. Some public transport stops change names
- 5. News digest: Slovakia still dealing with the loss of its talent
- 6. Coronavirus in Slovakia: 1,982 new cases confirmed (graphs)
- 7. Lockdown could be hard to avoid around Christmastime
- 8. Rules for isolation have been updated. Green list will be extended, too
- 9. How to enjoy Christmas in Bratislava even during the pandemic
- 10. Slovakia keeps losing its best students. They are leaving for schools abroad
- 1. Pass a Slovak language dictation so you can work with foreigners
- 2. Everyone crossing the Slovak border should have a negative antigen test from December 7
- 3. Haščák of Penta detained and accused
- 4. Coronavirus in Slovakia: 1,982 new cases confirmed (graphs)
- 5. Rules for isolation have been updated. Green list will be extended, too
- 6. Bratislava airport falls to the bottom, the loss will be enormous
- 7. News digest: Who is ready for a vaccine in Slovakia
- 8. News digest: Penta partner Haščák reportedly charged with corruption after a police raid
- 9. Roundup: Bratislava’s Old Market Hall hosts Christmas markets
- 10. Slovakia lacks enough antigen tests. The testing intended for the first weekend of December cancelled