1960's

1960's

In the 1960s, as the world swayed to the tunes of The Beatles and embraced their message of peace, the Communist government of Czechoslovakia clamped down on Western influences, imposing strict censorship and banning Western music. However, the youth of Prague, yearning for change, found solace and inspiration in the subversive lyrics of John Lennon.

Depending on who is telling the story, the first traces of writing appeared on the wall in the 1960’s. They weren't just aimless ponderings, rather the words were for Jan Werich, a Czech actor and screenwriter. 

Werich moved people through his absurdist and politically challenging performances, more often than not going against political norms despite having restrictions imposed on his productions.

In 1967,

after the Czech Literární noviny was discontinued many took to the streets to protest it. One such way they fought back was through writing inscriptions on walls all throughout the city.

On the 20th-21st of August, 1968

the Czech Republic was invaded by armies of states belonging to the Warsaw pact to put a stop to the “Prague Spring” movement. This invasion was aimed at a political liberalization group fighting for democracy, a threat to the USSR.

In 1969,

after the Czech Republic’s occupation ended, poems and messages were plastered all throughout the city. Due to the sheer amount of inscriptions it was said that Prague was put through years of work to remove them all.