Memorial to the Victims of Communism

"The Memorial to the Victims of Communism (Czech: Pomník obětem komunismu) stands as a poignant tribute to those who suffered under the Czechoslovak communist regime from 1948 to 1989. Located at the base of Petřín Hill on Újezd Street in the Malá Strana district, the memorial was unveiled on May 22, 2002, twelve years after the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. Crafted by Czech sculptor Olbram Zoubek in collaboration with architects Jan Kerel and Zdeněk Holzel, the memorial received backing from the local council and the Confederation of Political Prisoners. The striking installation features six bronze statues, each representing an individual in various states of decay, symbolizing the gradual destruction faced by political prisoners. Despite their deteriorating forms, all the figures remain upright, embodying a spirit of resilience and defiance against totalitarian oppression. A bronze strip runs along the center of the memorial, inscribed with harrowing statistics detailing the extent of state repression during the communist era, including the arrest of 205,486 individuals, 170,938 forced into exile, and 248 executed. Accompanying the memorial is a bronze plaque that states: “The memorial to the victims of communism is dedicated to all victims not only those who were jailed or executed but also those whose lives were ruined by totalitarian despotism.” In 2018, a nearby pedestrian walkway was named "Alej obětí totality" to honor the victims of totalitarianism, as proposed by Ivan Margolius to the Prague City Council. Despite its significance, the memorial faced controversy prior to its unveiling, notably regarding the guest list for the ceremony. Then-President Václav Havel, a key figure in the dissident movement during the communist era, was not originally invited and received an invitation only two days before the event. He ultimately visited the monument with Zoubek the day before its official unveiling. Reactions to the memorial have been mixed; while it serves as an essential reminder of the past, some critics have labeled it kitsch and noted the absence of female figures among the representations. The memorial has also faced challenges, as one statue was damaged in bomb blasts in 2003, with no party claiming responsibility for the attacks."

"Memorial to the Victims of Communism in Prague was created by the distinguished Czech sculptor Olbram Zoubek in cooperation with architects Zdeněk Hölzl and Jan Karel. It is located at the base of Petřín hill. In the upper part of the memorial you can see 7 persons walking on stairs. The first person seems to be all right, but one can clearly observe that the others are missing something of their anatomy, which should symbolise the suffering of the prisoners, their courage and resilience."

"The Memorial to the Victims of Communism (Czech: Pomník obětem komunismu) comprises a set of statues dedicated to honoring those who suffered under the communist regime in Czechoslovakia from 1948 to 1989. "