Toilet Paper

Digital print from film

Communism reminds people of long queues and one person in particular remembers the long queues they had for toilet paper. It could have been caused by poor estimates of toilet paper usage (from 5 year plans) or problems with distribution. Either way, many people remember the tedious moments they spent waiting to collect a daily commodity.

Gas Mask

There were mandatory gas mask trainings in schools during the communist era. Students had to wash the masks with alcohol disinfectant before wearing them and were asked to walk in the hallways for an hour while wearing the masks. Some of them still recall how terrible the gas masks smelled. One student remembers the juxtaposition of the teachers' attitudes with the students'—these were the teachers' favourite times because they were the quietest times of the year. One cannot speak while wearing a gas mask!

Mánička

Digital print from film 

A young long-haired male in Czechoslovakia was called “Mánička”. Long hair for a young male was considered an attempt to openly express his political position, independence, and freedom—a way of silently protesting against the regime. These “Máničky” used to go to the doctor in order to obtain certificates, stating that if their hair was cut they would commit suicide. It was their only defence to keep the regime from forcing them to cut their hair. The long-haired Máničky regularly visited the performances of the Czech underground bands The Plastic People of the Universe and DG 307.

THERE IS NO GOD

Digital print from film

Christianity was abolished and forbidden during the totalitarian era. The regime preached that there is no god and there is nothing waiting up in heaven. Some churches were destroyed, and there were priests who were sent to local mines to do hard labour or sentenced to life in prison for not complying with state requirements. One of the interviewees remarked, “Everyone needs to be a Jesus for communism to work, or have the discipline of ants”.

Perlovka Street

Digital print from film

Perlovka Street was rumoured to be a place where foreigners went for pleasure and fun. Although there was a veil of secrecy over the business that happened there, Perlovka was famous for the presence of women who were selling themselves, and this street later became known as the red light district of Prague. The district has survived the changes of history and it still exists today—after dark, one can peruse the street of Perlovka where women are still selling themselves.

Secret Meetings

Politických vězňů Ulice

Digital print from film 

The Communist Party headquarters in Prague is located in Politických vězňů Street, which literally translates as "Political prisoners Street". 

Supersonic Jets

Supersonic jets were constantly flying over the roofs during this era. These jets were doing rounds or constantly having exercises. The noise created by them was unbearable, yet people almost got used to the disturbance they created. One man remembers that his parents couldn't explain to him what caused the terrible noise or why it happened all the time, they just said, “It makes noise”.

"I" don’t exist