Prague Castle marks 30 years since the fall of the Iron Curtain with a new photo exhibit

A retrospective of important photographic work tells the story of the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia and beyond

Katrina Modrá

Written by Katrina Modrá Published on 12.06.2019 11:46:23 (updated on 12.06.2019) Reading time: 1 minute

A new exhibit has opened at Prague Castle in the Queen Anne’s Summer Palace and the Royal Garden, offering an extensive photographic testimony to the fall of the Iron Curtain in Central Europe, which took place 30 years ago this autumn.

Open from May 30, 1989: The Fall of the Iron Curtain showcases seventy Czech and Slovak photographers along with numerous photographic contributions from Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and the former GDR, to collectively tell the story of the fall of communism in the so-called socialist bloc.


© Jaroslav Kučera / via Praha.eu

The exhibit follows the key events in the chronology from January to December giving a first-hand account of the protests, marches, and movements of the era via powerful images.

Photographers Jindřich Štreit, Pavel Štecha, Viktor Kolář, Jan Šilpoch, Jaroslav Kučera, Herbert Slavík, Karol Kállay, and many others, represent the Czech Republic while notable international names include András Bankuti, Péter Korniss, Tamás Szigeti, Cvetan Tomcev, Krzysztof Miller, and Chris Niedenthal.

The exhibition will remind those who lived through it of the exciting moments they witnessed while bringing younger generations closer to the dramatic events of the fall of 1989.


© Jaroslav Kučera / via Praha.eu

The exhibition is divided into two parts: a Czechoslovak section is located directly inside the Queen Anne’s Summer Palace, while the exhibit in the Royal Garden covers photos from individual states.

A replica wall and Trabant, a symbol of the era, are stationed at the entrance to the exhibit.

“It is a selection of truly unique moments that often do not need any further words or explanations,” a castle spokesperson said in an interview with Metro daily


© Jaroslav Kučera / via Praha.eu

“They accurately reflect the unique atmosphere, enthusiasm, hope, determination, and desire for freedom. Outside and inside, there are screens showing the most important events.”

Admission to the exhibit is free.

For more details see the Prague Castle official website.

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