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35 rokov od Nežnej revolúcie
35 years since the Gentle Revolution
Event by: Európsky parlament – Kancelária na Slovensku
Online event
Discussions and lectures
About event
🕊 When we remember the Gentle Revolution, we remember hope and the fight for freedom and democracy in Slovakia. However, it is also a message about trying to build a better society, about humanity, empathy and mutual interpersonal respect. Democracy in Slovakia has experienced considerable success over the past three decades, while the country's accession to the EU 20 years ago was a major milestone for the country and its development. By joining the European community, Slovaks gained many other forms of freedom. At the same time, however, in recent years we have witnessed a significant polarization of society and violence that has led to murders. From Remiáš, through Kuciak, to the shooting at Zámocká and the recent assassination of the prime minister. The fight for democracy in Slovakia undoubtedly continues even after 35 years.
🔑 What did the Slovaks want when they rattled their keys in the squares? Were they mainly concerned with freedom and democracy, or rather with a better standard of living as part of the West? Do we value freedom and know how to handle it responsibly or are we conformists, complaining about the domination and influence of others? Is the legacy of November '89 still alive? Can Slovaks manage to move from looking back on the past and defeating communism to realizing that the fight for democracy is never-ending and that it is necessary to maintain it even in the free world? What is the state of democracy in Slovakia today? What challenges does it face and what can citizens and elites do to protect it? When and how to oppose undemocratic steps and laws, about which the EU institutions have already expressed concern? And at the same time, how to work with uncertainty and not lose determination?
🗣 They will discuss:
• Miriam Lexmann, Member of the European Parliament, EĽS
• Zuzana Hozlárová, former president of the Student Council of Universities and Slovak delegate at the Conference on the Future of Europe
• Rastislav Kužel, executive director, MEMO 98
Moderator: Lukáš Onderčanin, daily SME
➡️ You can watch the discussion online:
https://www .youtube.com/live/6qeISpB2lFM?si=6u8RT9B8y-IeA5jd
🔑 What did the Slovaks want when they rattled their keys in the squares? Were they mainly concerned with freedom and democracy, or rather with a better standard of living as part of the West? Do we value freedom and know how to handle it responsibly or are we conformists, complaining about the domination and influence of others? Is the legacy of November '89 still alive? Can Slovaks manage to move from looking back on the past and defeating communism to realizing that the fight for democracy is never-ending and that it is necessary to maintain it even in the free world? What is the state of democracy in Slovakia today? What challenges does it face and what can citizens and elites do to protect it? When and how to oppose undemocratic steps and laws, about which the EU institutions have already expressed concern? And at the same time, how to work with uncertainty and not lose determination?
🗣 They will discuss:
• Miriam Lexmann, Member of the European Parliament, EĽS
• Zuzana Hozlárová, former president of the Student Council of Universities and Slovak delegate at the Conference on the Future of Europe
• Rastislav Kužel, executive director, MEMO 98
Moderator: Lukáš Onderčanin, daily SME
➡️ You can watch the discussion online:
https://www .youtube.com/live/6qeISpB2lFM?si=6u8RT9B8y-IeA5jd