.obývaný svet Tomáša Zálešáka: Kto stratí pamäť, stratí aj slobodu

In this episode of .týždeň, host Jaroslav Valend explores the profound connection between memory, freedom, and political power, joined by documentary filmmaker Sonia Ďarfášová and political analyst Tomáš Zálešák. The discussion centers on how the erasure of collective memory—particularly under totalitarian regimes—leads to the loss of freedom, drawing parallels to Orwell’s 1984 and the historical realities of communist and fascist rule in Czechoslovakia. The panel reflects on how memory is weaponized in politics, especially during periods of normalization and post-communist transition, and emphasizes the importance of preserving historical truth through institutional efforts like those at STVR and RTVS. They highlight the generational gap in historical awareness and the dangers of ideological reinterpretation of the past, stressing that without memory, individuals and societies lose the ability to respond meaningfully to new challenges. The episode underscores the urgent need for systematic documentation of traumatic histories, especially those of political prisoners and resistance figures. Sonia Ďarfášová shares her personal experience in uncovering suppressed narratives, while Tomáš Zálešák frames memory as a cornerstone of democratic resilience. The conversation concludes with a call to action: preserving memory is not just historical work—it is an act of safeguarding freedom. The tone is urgent yet hopeful, emphasizing that memory must be actively maintained to prevent the repetition of past injustices.