The Dissent According to Women – the Polish and Czech Perspectives
- Where: Václav Havel Library, Ostrovní 13, Prague 110 00
- When: January 26, 2017, 17:00 – 21:00
The successful documentary film Solidarity According to Women sparked a debate in Poland on the undervalued role of female activists in the anti-Communist opposition movement. Was there a difference in the position of women and men in the dissent?
We will recall this important question in the context of the landmark anniversary of the creation of two opposition movements key to the history of Central Europe: Poland’s Worker’s Defence Committee (KOR) and the Czech Charter 77. A screening of the documentary will be followed by a debate involving direct participants in those events from both sides of the border. Representing Poland will be Zofia Romaszewska, who along with her husband ran the KOR Intervention Office, the body that coordinated aid for victims of political persecution. The Czech perspective will be provided by Petruška Šustrová, a Charter 77 signatory and spokesperson.
Chaired by Maciej Ruczaj.
Solidarity According to Women / Solidarność według kobiet, 2014, 103 min., directed by Marta Dzido, Piotr Śliwowski.
The film tells the story of a number of Polish women who thanks to their courage, determination and engagement contributed to a change in the political reality in Communist Poland in the 1980s. It explores their then opposition activities and lives today. “Solidarity won’t be repeated, but the awareness that another world is possible still gives me hope,” says one of the documentary’s female protagonists.
In cooperation with the Polish Institute and the Czech Women’s Lobby.