Mene Tekel Lidmila Němcová

Mission The aim of my presentation is to remember how the national memory has been and should be treated and interpreted in post- communist countries using the example of my own country – the Czech Republic. Let me emphasize that my presentation is not any scientific paper but it should express only personal remarks and communication to a very actual and urgent topic.

Mene Tekel u-parsin I have chosen the title from the famous story of the Old Testament in the course of a dinner given by king Balsazar a hand appeared writing on the wall a warning message Mene Tekel u-parsin, what had to be interpreted by the prophet as the end of the kingdom with its division in two countries. All this warning was realized very soon as a punishment for mishonesting gold and argent vessel from the Shalamoun temple.

The every year Czech festival MENE TEKEL This festival remembering old stories of communist persecution is using only two words from the original inscription: MENE TEKEL. That means that the previous régime cannot continue because of violation of liberty and human rights.

Iustitia regnorum fundamentum The history of the Czech lands - as well as that of other countries of Central and Eastern Europe - is very agitated and affected by lot of events in various parts of Europe. The significant historical years for the Czech Republic:  1918 ( foundation of Czechoslovakia including Ruthenia),  1938 ( Munich treaty),  1939 (occupation of the Czech lands by Nazi and the foundation of the Slovak fascist "independent" state),  1945 liberation of the country without Ruthenia - cession to the USSR),  1948 communist putch,  1968 Prague spring,  1989 velvet revolution.

The Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes

Conclusion: What steps are needed for the future?  cultivation of a national memory  to change the civic and political culture,  to analyse any gap in the way of thinking of the whole society and to inform the population about the results,  to intensify a fight against all deformations (incl. corruption, interest groups),  to motivate every citizen to an active role in building a state that will be able to protect all citizens with their full respect and confidence,  to maintain the order joint with the needed freedom (serva ordinem and ordo servabit te).

Thank you for your attention