How would life look like had the Velvet Revolution not happened?

1 question, 3 answers

It is the 17th of November today, the day when we remind ourselves of the end which ended the 41 years of communist part rule in Czechoslovakia, aka the Velvet Revolution. I was asked to run a session for a group of British youths and discuss why this day is still important for my generation even though we were just babies when the Velvet Revolution took place. I realise that for some people life became more complicated but it definitely brought my generation more life options. I asked a few people within my social bubble how they think their life would have looked like if the Velvet Revolution hadn't happened.

What do you think your life would look life if the regime hadn't changed?

Ondrej

Animation Designer

The creative industries weren't really a thing and those which existed were massively influenced by politics so I wouldn't have been able to do what I currently do. I would probably work in operations in an industrial sector, mines, steel factory something like that...industry machines would be my bread & butter. A monotonous job in an environment I don't feel close to. I would just try not to draw attention to myself and be invisible. I would have to join the compulsory military service which would have been absolutely awful. Haha, the only advantage would be that I wouldn't struggle with a heavy workload.... But those are the only positives I can think of.

Eliska

Market Researcher

Well, that is a difficult question. I wouldn't be able to get engaged in any humanities area as those were closely linked to the regime. I would probably be quite clueless about what do to. I wouldn't want to spend much time in Prague as mostly cultural events linked to the regime would be allowed. To have a bit of freedom, I would have to live more outside of the system. I would probably try to get a house in the mountains and just stay there as much as possible...doing gardening, walking in the forest. I guess the only thing is that I wouldn't be overworked.

Marek

Project Manager

I would probably have tried to emigrate abroad somewhere if possible. Not sure where but I guess I would know that the grass is greener elsewhere. If not, I guess I would just do something similar to what my parents do.