IN PRAGUE, AT THE EVENT AGAINST TOTALITARIANISM, THE BOOK "INVADERS GET OUT" WAS LAUNCHED
21 February the translation into the Czech language of the book “Invaders Get Out” containing reminiscences of the Lithuanian soldiers who were forced to participate in the soviet army’s invasion in Czechoslovakia in 1968 was launched at the Charles University old Carolinum premises in Prague. The book launched during the “Mene Tekel” project - event dedicated to actualise the fight against totalitarianism. The translation of the book was sponsored by the Lithuanian MFA and forewords to the Czech version came from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both the countries- Mr A.Ažubalis and Mr K.Schwarzenberg.Ambassador of Lithuania in the Czech Republic Aurimas Taurantas launching the book stressed that the liberation of the Central and Eastern European nations from the totalitarianism was an overall process. According to him, Lithuanians on their return from Czechoslovakia disseminated from lip to lip about the soviet suppression of the peoples‘ freedom aspirations. This had a considerable impact on the protest plans in Lithuania.
Invaders Get Out was first published in 1999 in Lithuania and devoted to 30 years of the Prague Spring. The book was compiled by Mr P.A.Mikša – the participant and eye witness of the events. The translation into the Czech language is introduced for the first time. Preface to the book, explaining political context in Central and Eastern Europe at that time, and the realities of Lithuania and Czechoslovakia, paradoxical situation of the Lithuanians who were involved in the Prague Spring events in the role of occupants was written by the historian Ms Dalia Bukelevičiuté and compiler of the book Mr P.A.Mikša. Chief editor of the translation into Czech is Alena Vlčkova.
Together with Mr P.A.Mikša journalist Mr Valentinas Mité - initiator & promoter of the Czech version of the book participated. Mr. V.Mite is also the author of photography exhibition Hill of Crosses one out of nine exhibitions dedicated to Contemplation on Totalitarianism in Art and education.
Project “Mene Tekel” is devoted to remind of the fight against totalitarianism. 2011 is the 5th year to the project in Prague. Citizens association Art Without Borders together with Association of Political Prisoners, Institute of the Study of Totalitarian Regimes and Office of the Documentation and Investigation of the Crimes of Communism were the organisers of 2011 project in cooperation with the Lithuanian, Polish, Canadian and Hungarian Embassies. Patrons of the event are the Mayor of Prague Mr Bohuslav Svoboda and the rector of the Charles University Mr Vaclav Hampl.
