Alternative culture centrums – Hrádeček u Trutnova

Fact of the Czech figure „The independent culture under the communist regime”

Part of the „Culture against communism„ topic

During state socialism, alternative cultural centres such as Hrádeček u Trutnova served as a refuge for political dissidents, intellectuals and artists. The Václav Havel’s Cottage hosted concerts, theatre performances and other events that expressed the desire for freedom and co-created resistance against the regime.

Famous Havel dramas such as „Audience” and „The Garden Party” were created here. Another meeting place were the „open” apartments, where literary readings, theatre performances, concerts, and meetings of underground universities and the church were held.

Similar places were created in some pubs, cafés and theatres, such as the Slavia café in Prague and the Husa na provázku Theatre in Brno. Another form of alternative culture and political protest were various happenings and performative rallies. These places and their owners or organisers played a key role in maintaining independent culture and intellectual life during the time of censorship. Even today they are widely visited and have educational potential, for example the geolocation game on the Trutnov – Hrádeček route.