History
As part of this programme, I specialise in history. My work is based on the conviction that understanding the past is an essential prerequisite for defending human rights today. The first pillar of my activities was an educational workshop on the topic of November 1989, which is of great importance not only to us in the Czech and Slovak Republics but also to Germany and Bulgaria. However, I focussed primarily on the events in Czechoslovakia.
With the help of the EPAS team, we showed the students what propaganda is by having them identify it within a provided text. We took a similar approach to the topic of censorship. They were given a text from which they had to cross out sentences that would not have aligned with the regime at the time. To engage the students even further, we included an activity where they matched names to the faces of individuals who are associated with freedom or played a key role in achieving it. Finally, they shared their anonymous reflections on the question: 'What does freedom mean to me?' These notes were eventually displayed in the school corridor under the title 'EVERY VOICE MATTERS'
I named the entire event More than Velvet. This is a reference to the fact that the 1989 coup is known as the Velvet Revolution. While the term 'Velvet' suggests a smooth transition, it overlooks the harsh reality: the aggressive suppression of peaceful citizens by the Public Security forces (Veřejná bezpečnost). Despite the violence, people chanted slogans like 'Our hands are bare!', 'We want free elections!', or 'Havel to the Castle!'. These phrases became the anthems of the revolution. My project highlights that this wasn't just a 'smooth' transition it was, above all, about the immense courage of students and actors who dared to act at the pivotal moment.
26th of November 2025, ANOA - "More than Velvet"
Human Rights Workshop
On 9 February we visited the Vaclav Havel Library. We actually went there as a follow up to a previous event where we focused on human rights. Since the Vaclav Havel Library is such an interesting place and regularly hosts various lectures we thought it would be a good idea to check if they offered workshops too. Quite a lot of people turned up which honestly surprised us as such a high level of attendance is not something you see every day.
However, the workshop got off to a bit of a slow start. On the other hand, it was very helpful that the groups were put together by the lady who was leading the session. It was nice to see people putting in the effort. I am not sure if they actually enjoyed it but perhaps it gave them a better perspective on what life was like under the totalitarian regime.
You can find more on our Instagram or TikTok.
In my spare time, I developed some concepts that are less intensive than my usual work, such as producing historical content for Instagram. I began with Master Jan Hus, whom I consider a pivotal figure in our struggle for freedom. He was martyred for the truth; however, his views were too radical for his era. Additionally, the Czech people did not hold the same influential status as the Italians, French, or Germans at that time.
Another figure I've focused on is George of Poděbrady. Much like Hus, he was a revolutionary who lived centuries ahead of his era, specifically regarding his vision for a peaceful union of nations, a precursor to the modern EU concept, which remains highly relevant for us.
Finally, I integrated the theme of feminism into my historical research. I chose to feature Františka Plamínková, a prominent figure who became renowned for her tireless advocacy for women's suffrage.