Vaclav Havel and Tomki Nemec in 1989
A photographic exhibit marking the 50th anniversary of the Prague Spring and the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia opens in Edmonton at the Edmonton International Airport on Monday, July 30th 2018.
Twenty large panels explore Edmonton photographer Jan Novotny's photographic and written journey through the gradual liberalization of Czechoslovakia from 1965 to the crushing of the Prague Spring by Soviet troops in 1968. Twenty stunning images by Tomki Nemec-personal photographer for writer, dissident and statesman Vaclav Havel-capture Havel's humanity, humour, glamour and influence as he emerges as Czechoslovakia's accidental politician, or philosopher king, during the Velvet Revolution of the late 1980s that brought a bloodless end to Czech communism.
Assembling this show in Canada is an impressive achievement brought about with the sponsorship of the Czechoslovak Society for Arts and Sciences, the Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies, Carlson Construction, and the Edmonton Community Foundation.
It will show from July 30th to August 27th at the Edmonton International Airport, and will then hang at Edmonton City Hall from September 1stto 21st. Additional locations in Edmonton and Calgary will follow from then until November 30th 2018. It is one of several events celebrating the 100th anniversary of creation of Czechoslovakia.
"Tomki Nemec and I created bookends to an extraordinary era in Czechoslovak history," says Jan Novotny. "As a young man, I witnessed a Czech revolution through a sometimes covert camera lens. Nemec, in contrast, had unconstrained access to the personal and political life of the greatest figure in recent Czech history during the nation's period of liberalization. I'm excited to join Tomki in this exhibit.
Locations and Dates
The exhibition will be displayed in several locations in Alberta chosen to maximize accessibility for the public.
July 30 - August 27, 2018 Edmonton International Airport
August 29
September 1 - 21 Edmonton City Hall
September 24 - October 7 St. Joseph High School, Edmonton
October 8 - 29 University of Alberta, Convocation Hall
October 30 - November 30 Various locations in Calgary
Contacts
Jan Novotny, jan@novotny.ca, 780-907-1386
Petr Musilek, petr.musilek@ualberta.ca, 780-492-5368