WITNESS TO THE REVOLUTION!

Benedictine University paid homage to its cultural heritage when it recently hosted the traveling exhibition called Witness to the Revolution!, September 17 - October 10, 2014. The multimedia exhibition is one of three separate travelling exhibits curated and sponsored by The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, of Iowa. Note* Benedictine University was originally founded by Czech and Slovak priests who migrated from Chicago, and further still from Europe.

As communism fell in Europe in the fall and winter of 1989, several Americans were in Czechoslovakia and had the opportunity to witness a pivotal moment in history. This traveling exhibit uses eyewitness accounts from Americans who were there, including a professor, a student, a reporter and U.S. Embassy staff. Their notes, pictures and videos combine to tell a fascinating story of revolution and freedom.

 

A reception was held for the Czech and Slovak community on Saturday, September 20th. The exhibit was sent to its next venues in California at its conclusion. Several people attending the reception stood up and gave emotional personal accounts of their experiences during the Velvet Revolution. As an American, who has been fortunate to live in a free society, it was moving to hear their testimony.  

 

For more information on this exhibition and all things Czech and Slovak, contact the following:

 

National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library, http://www.ncsml.org/
Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago, http://www.mzv.cz/chicago/en
Consulate General of Slovakia in NewYork, http://www.mzv.sk/