Our European neighbors, Slovaks and Czechs, celebrate their national holiday on November 17, Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day. Exactly 25 years ago, a mass student (oh, these incessant tyranny destroyers!) demonstration took place in Prague, capital of the then Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, which turned into the Velvet Revolution after the severe beating up of its participants. An alliance of opposition forces of the country was created on November 20, which was named “Civic Forum” by Czechs, and “Public against Violence” by Slovaks. The protests reached their peak on November 25, when 750,000 people came to a rally in Prague, and in 2 days, on November 27, a general strike enveloped the whole country. These rallies led to global social changes: resignation of president Gustav Husak, removal of communists from power, and a new parliamentary election. Three years after that, on November 25, 1992, the Czechoslovak Federal Assembly passed a law voiding the Czechoslovak Federation, and at midnight of December 31, the sovereignty of Slovakia was declared.
We talked about the 25-year-old events and about the present with Consul General of Slovakia in Uzhhorod Janka BURIANOVA.
What did you remember the most about the Velvet Revolution?
“I experienced the events of the Velvet Revolution in its epicenter, Bratislava, and I was lucky to be in Prague in November 25, when nearly 800,000 protesters came to the Wenceslas Square. My husband and I went to rallies in Bratislava on a regular basis: we took our children there as well. Back then I used to work at a factory with three thousand employees. Of course, everyone could not leave work at the same time. In order to prevent chaos, we organized our activity so that when some staff representatives went to the rallies, the others spoke in front of the workers at the factory.
“Everyone lived the high hope for social changes and joy from the fact that such civic explosion took place. It was an extraordinary uprising, citizens demanded immediate and absolute changes. An atmosphere of optimism, hope, and faith in changes was extremely strong. There was no negative energy, and it is impossible to forget it. Back then society did not know whether it wanted to join the EU or NATO. Institutional goals for the future were not outlined in the first days of the revolution, but we knew well what we did not want: totalitarianism and communist dictatorship.”
Such further global processes as the split of the Czechoslovak Federal Republic into two separate states, decommunization and democratization of the country, economic and social reforms were not easy for Slovaks. Who ensured this social progress and how?
“After the revolution, heated debate continued in society about the common future of Czechs and Slovaks within one country. Slovaks wanted to be more valued in their own country, because Prague’s domination in social life was obvious. Discussions and consultations were constantly on. After the election of 1992, when the party headed by Vladimir Meciar won in Slovakia, and the party headed by Vaclav Klaus in what is now the Czech Republic, it became clear that the Czechoslovak Republic would split into two separate countries.
“This process was occurring on a very strong emotional level, because one part of the population supported the split, and another did not, since both parts of the country were united not only by economy and politics, but by family ties as well. However, it happened so that the parliament made the decision, and Slovakia took up the challenge of building its own state. We did not have our own banks, currency, security and defense system, but we gradually created all state institutions.”
Are there a lot of people in the country today who are disappointed by the Velvet Revolution?
“I think that there are as many opinions, as there are people. The absolute majority of our citizens have a positive perception of the current situation which was started by the Velvet Revolution. It is natural that a part of people, mostly of older age, who felt more or less comfortable in the old system and did not want the change of the rhythm of life, should be against it. However, our social system is rather fair and does not allow unjust treatment of retirees of different categories, takes care of the socially vulnerable individuals, and therefore there is no particular dissatisfaction in society.”
What do you think are the similarities and differences between the Velvet Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity?
“Slovakia supports Ukraine’s European choice. We are very interested in the establishment of common social values and Ukraine’s becoming a strong democratic partner. Actually, this is the reason I was so glad to see the processes that started in Ukrainian society a year ago. It was nice to see how NGOs, university students, and active citizens of Transcarpathia expressed their desire to live according to the European social values, to be one of the equal members of the single European family.
“During the Revolution of Dignity Ukrainians had a clearly determined strategic goal: European integration, which we did not have 25 years ago. I understand that your society wants radical changes and they should be started as soon as possible. I am an optimist and I’m convinced that fundamental reforms in Ukraine will surely take place and be successful. They have never been easy for anyone, but without them it is impossible to implement the values the majority of your society strives to achieve today.”
Slovakia presides at the Visegrad Four this Year. How V4 countries can help the practical European integration of Ukraine?
“The issue of energy security is of primary importance not only for Ukraine and Slovakia, but for Europe in general. This is a strategic area.
“Competent cooperation of the Central European group of countries within the Visegrad Four once allowed us to coordinate our positions and clearly shape and submit our aspirations to the EU, which corresponded to the potential of Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary. Now we, Ukraine’s neighbors, who have already finished this path of social changes, reforming our own legal, security, social, and many other systems according to the Union’s demands, are ready to share our experience with you. The route to the European community has been established, the path is laid, and we are ready to pass this roadmap over to Ukrainians. In my opinion, this is the most valuable thing we can offer to Ukraine today, since a correctly mapped way can save from wandering in circles. I find our Visegrad experience the most suitable for Ukraine as our neighbor. Our cultures, people’s mentality, and even geography and climate are more similar than those of the rest of Europeans, and therefore we should have been similar in the organization of our societies. I think this will be discussed in the near future by V4 countries’ leaders and President Poroshenko at the summit in Bratislava.”
The activity of Consulate General of Slovakia has noticeably increased with your arrival, the number of cultural events has grown significantly. Is this a result of the Slovak Republic MFA demands, or just your personal activity?
“Our ministry has always been interested in intensive and productive contacts between our countries. Personally, I try my best to implement these demands. It is no extraordinary thing, I am used to working like that.
“As regards the new cultural events, we are going to hold soon in cooperation with our Ukrainian partners, besides the already opened and positively accepted photo exhibition “From the Tatras to the Danube” and presented translation of the Slovakian best book of 2012 Dirty Shoes by Vito Staviarsky, poetry by Joseph Leickert will be presented, we are going to show a number of films from the treasury of Slovak cinematography, and arrange a concert of the leading Bratislava musicians at the Philharmonic Society. I think, we will be able to create a genuine Slovak-styled ‘golden autumn’ in Uzhhorod.”
What restrains the further development of regional cooperation between Transcarpathia and Presov and Kosice self-governing regions?
“The mere fact of the Schengen border’s existence between our countries is the most restraining factor for intensification of contacts in all areas. This issue can be globally solved only after Ukraine obtains the visa-free regime with the EU and joins the European Union. As for us directly, the Consulate General of the Slovak Republic in Uzhhorod has significantly increased the number of visas issued to Ukrainian citizens in the recent years.
“Another restraining factor for development of modern regional cooperation is the difference in powers of bodies of our neighboring regions. You were right when you called our regions ‘self-governing.’ They are so not by the name only, but in essence. There are often situations when permission from Kyiv is needed to solve some routine issues between Kosice and Uzhhorod. With expansion of local self-government’s rights in Ukraine, which is foreseen by the signed association agreement, a whole number of such obstacles will be removed. Besides all other matters, it will facilitate the access to European funds of regional development for your regions, which will simplify the obtaining of grants to reform the public utilities area, education, healthcare, and other areas, which directly influence the citizens’ quality of life.”
