Today I went to visit the Museum on Communism –
If you return to Prague over the next week and a half, or sometime later in your life, then I would recommend visiting the museum. It’s located on the first floor (think US. 2nd) of a highly trafficked strip mall area; additionally there’s a McDonalds directly 5M away to your right upon exit. The museum itself is gently tucked away into the corner of the building, but don’t let the size fool you–they still found it possible to squeeze in 12 foot tall statues of both Marx and Lenin; along with a theirs busts scattered about the floor.
The content of the museum was fascinating. The walk throughout the space began with an introduction to Czechoslovakia of the early 1920s and the economic and political hardships that were experienced; economically, the shaking of industry that was experienced after the New York Stock Collapse and politically, the rise of fascism and communism. Specifically among the former, the rise of admiration towards the Nazi party among Germans who lived within borders of Czechoslovakia had risen as unemployment and access to basic necessities became more difficult; among the latter, the crisis presented advantageous position for the communist party within the Czech government. From here, the museum winds the viewer through communist political philosophy, propaganda, state violence and citizen uprising.
Below are a few photos I snagged while wandering through (the museum attendant kept giving me funny looks for photographing the informational boards, so I hadn’t taken much down to elucidate more on above. Highly recommend viewing this museum yourself, however.)
Other than this, I haven’t explored much – I did wander through a few blocks of the city before stopping at a cafe to keep working on Kafka and story drafts.
OH, here’s a proof of life:
