NATIONAL HOLIDAY 17 NOVEMBER – CENTRE CLOSED

STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY DAY

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF STUDENTRY

The holiday of 17^th of November is celebrated in the Czech Republic and Slovakia as a commemoration of two events of modern Czech history, connected with Czech university students.

17^th of November 1939 

The Leadership of Nazi Germany had decided to close Czech universities for three years. On the night of November 16^th, Nazi security forces raided Prague, Brno and Příbram with the goal of capturing leaders of student organizations and intern other students. Nine representatives of student leaders were executed, and 1200 arrested students were transferred to the Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg concentration camp.

17^th of November 1989 

The beginning of the Velvet Revolution and the fall of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia.

Students of Prague Universities met at Albertov on Friday 17^th of November. Anticommunist chants were heard from the beginning of the demonstration, and the dissolution of the demonstration was demanded.    

Nevertheless, the demonstration was dissolved violently in the night hours and some participants were arrested by force. Assaulting of individuals and groups of on-lookers took place from the side of law enforcement units even after the dissolution.

The independent medical committee later stated that 568 people were injured during the intervention of the 17^th of November.

 

Shops are open during their standard operation hours during this national holiday.