Czechoslovak Political Prisoners - über das Projekt Political ...

spoken memories equal historical sources like standard historical annals, chronicles, and other
records (that are equally subjective). What we believe in is they are equally valuable sources of
historical and perhaps even general knowledge. Individual histories should contribute to the
descriptions of the past especially there, where official historical records fail. Such information
can only enrich the well known facts. After all, history was at first oral and all the knowledge
was spread by a spoken language. It is our task to put down the words of those who “were
there.” If not for us then for generations after us as it seems obvious that such stories can teach
us more then many textbooks.
It was not always easy to explain to the narrators there is a sense behind all the recording,
transcribing and editing.
As a result we gathered ten examples of the “little history” of former Czechoslovakia in
this book in 2008. We provide you, our readers, with stories dealing with “big history,” but
using one´s own words and delivering personal explanations and interpretations of what has
happened, what has been seen and lived through. We do it at dawn of electronic technologies
which offer fast and precise information and data on-line. Reading books may seem old
fashioned and unpractical especially from the point of view of today´s youth. However, we are
aware of it and our aims go further than that. We do not want to fall back “just” with conventional
books. This is why we created a website dedicated not only to former Czechoslovak
political prisoners, but to all who were once politically oppressed. We wish to give the floor to
all who feel they belong to the huge family of political prisoners in the world.
Last but not least, it is important to thank at this place to all who assisted in making this
dream come true. This book would never be born without the kind help of Kamila Nováková
and Justin A. Osswald who translated it in English from the Czech original. Many volunteers including
Marcela Kubíčková, Michal Louč, Berta Štěpánová and many others contributed to the
existence of our initiative with great enthusiasm. The Czech non-profit organization ANO pro
Evropu (YES for Europe) gave us the auspices for running a project supported by the Education,
Audiovisual & Culture Executive Agency of the European Commission. Some of the necessary
costs related to publishing this book were covered by this project. Another important partner
to be mentioned is the Czech Oral History Association and mainly its President, Mirek Vaněk,
who kindly supported our work with great understandment. Special thanks goes to Ondřej
Kafka, head of Kafka Design studio, and Jana Petrželová, graphic designer, who gave this book
its visual identity.
However, the biggest gratitude shall be expressed to the heroes of this book. The ten former
political prisoners introduced in this book are the most precious result of this project. Their
stories are the peak of an ice-berg of victims of political oppression in the sea of oblivion. Unfortunately,
one of the narrators, Mr. Jozef Kycka, will not be able to read this book anymore
as he passed away before it was published. It is for the memory of people like him, respected
wise men and women, why we run initiatives like politicalprisoners.eu Therefore, we wish to
dedicate this book to all the political prisoners who are unable to read it anymore.
6
The authors.
Prague, Christmas 2008