1990s as myth and heritage in Eastern Central Europe

This guided excursion offers students an immersive exploration of the 1990s in Eastern Central Europe, focusing on the post-socialist transition and its lasting impact on the region’s cultural, political, and architectural landscape. Set in the heart of downtown Prague, the tour will explore key sites that reflect the city’s transformation during this turbulent decade, illustrating the intersection of myth and heritage in shaping national identity. The 1990s in Prague were marked by significant political, social, and economic changes, following the fall of communism in 1989 and the Velvet Revolution. This period witnessed a rapid embrace of Western-style democracy, capitalism, and consumerism, while also grappling with the challenges of post-socialist identity and memory. Through stops at significant landmarks, such as Wenceslas Square, the Národní třída, and the once-communist monuments that remain in the urban fabric, the tour will delve into how this era has been mythologized in popular memory and represented in public spaces. Drawing on examples from the wider region—including Berlin, Warsaw, and Budapest—this excursion will engage students in understanding the shared and distinct experiences of post-communist transition across Eastern Central Europe. We will discuss how the 1990s remain a powerful cultural reference point, influencing contemporary debates about nationalism, EU integration, and the preservation of socialist-era heritage.

Lecturer: Mgr. Ondřej Daniel, Ph.D.