Soviet invasion remembered

Published on 21 August 2009 at 13:37

The Czech Republic and Slovakia are holding individual commemorations of the 41st anniversary of the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops. In Prague, the focus is on the collapse of "socialism with a human face" and the beginning of "normalization," which resulted in 20 years of Czechoslovakian isolation from the West. To mark the occasion, [Mladá Fronta DNES](http://zpravy.idnes.cz/foto.asp?r=domaci&c=A090820_152245_domaci_jw) features previously unpublished photographs of protests in Prague on 21 August, 1969, the first anniversary of the invasion. In Bratislava, the anniversary has prompted yet another Slovak-Hungarian quarrel. Lidové Noviny reports that several Slovak politicians, led by the Slovak President and Prime Minister, have signed a call to prevent the Hungarian President from attending the inauguration of a statue of Saint Stephen I, the first king of Hungary, in Komárno, southern Slovakia. The daily regrets the passing of a period of relatively good relations between the two countries, when Slovak politicians often alluded to their common history and the entente between Slovaks and Hungarians within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Tags

Was this article useful? If so we are delighted!

It is freely available because we believe that the right to free and independent information is essential for democracy. But this right is not guaranteed forever, and independence comes at a cost. We need your support in order to continue publishing independent, multilingual news for all Europeans.

Discover our subscription offers and their exclusive benefits and become a member of our community now!

Are you a news organisation, a business, an association or a foundation? Check out our bespoke editorial and translation services.

Support independent European journalism

European democracy needs independent media. Join our community!

On the same topic