Atheists & Agnostics
In reply to the discussion: Tell me what's funny [View all]onager
(9,356 posts)The Jan Hus Memorial in Old Town Square. Hus was the religious dissident who took on the Pope a hundred years before Martin Luther (and got burned at the stake for it).
His statue is glaring angrily at the Catholic church across the square. Along with figures of Hussite warriors, the Monument includes a young mother, symbolizing national rebirth (according to Wiki).
From 1938-45, the Nazis covered the Hus Memorial with swastika banners.
From 1945-89, the Communist regime often covered it with black cloth. Citizens still came and sat quietly in front of the Memorial, to show their opposition to the New Boss.
On the Internet and IRL, I've heard Czechs joke that with Communism gone, now the Czech Republic only has one other totalitarian, mind-controlling regime trying to run things. But it's the same regime they were fighting in the 15th century - the Catholic Church.
IIRC, right after Communism fell, the Church was annoyed that one Cathedral in Prague had been turned into a museum. The Church wanted it restored to use as a place of worship. The Czech govt. said no, it's doing fine as a museum. And we'll leave it that way.
