Exhibit highlights Velvet Revolution, fall of communism

Benedictine University will mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of communism in Eastern Europe by hosting a traveling exhibit highlighting the nonviolent "Velvet Revolution" protests that paved the way for a more democratic and capitalist-based government in the former Czechoslovakia.

The exhibit, "Witness to the Revolution: Accounts from Americans Who Were There," will be on display through Oct. 10 in the Father Michael E. Komechak, O.S.B., Art Gallery on the fifth floor of the Kindlon Hall of Learning, 5700 College Road, Lisle.

The showing is part of the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and features eyewitness accounts, pictures and videos from a professor, student, news reporter and U.S. Embassy staff who were present for the demonstrations, which took place in Prague in the fall and winter of 1989.

The demonstrations, part of growing unrest throughout Eastern Europe, began after dozens of student protesters were beaten by police. They spawned a large, organized movement calling for the Communist Party to relinquish power. The movement eventually forced the ouster of communist leaders and led to the country's first democratic election since 1946.

Benedictine has historical ties to Eastern Europe. The university was founded more than 127 years ago in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago to provide students of Czech and Slovak descent with a values-based education.

Today, the university's student body is made up of more than 19 different religions, a minority student population that accounts for one-third of the university's overall enrollment and students who represent 17 different countries.

"Benedictine is excited to be hosting this special exhibit, partly because of the university's strong connection to the Czech and Slovak culture, and also because it showcases a major turning point in world history that was documented by people who witnessed the various movements that led to the end of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia," said Teresa J. Parker, curator of the art gallery and university art collection at Benedictine.

"It is full of dramatic and fascinating pictures, film and letters that help to put into greater perspective the chain of events that led to the dawn of a new era in Eastern Europe," she added.

An opening reception for the exhibit will be 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept 20. The gallery's regular hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and by appointment for special groups.

For information, contact Parker at (630) 829-6270 or tparker@ben.edu, or Cathy Gaddis at (630) 829-6320 or cgaddis@ben.edu. Information is also available at ben.edu/artgallery.