Commnents - Historians
Robert Letz, professor of history:
The most active form of protest against the oppressive regime in Slovakia was the protest of believers. The gathering in Velehrad in 1985, massive pilgrimages to Levoča, Šaštín, Mariatál, and Gaboltovo, or the 31-Point Petition all captured the young people and created unity among people who thus expressed not only their traditional faith but also their disagreement with violations of basic rights and freedoms of citizens. The "Candle Demonstration" was a link in the chain of these events. Despite its peaceful character, the Communist regime used violent force to suppress it.
This event was unique in that it was the first public manifestation of religious and political rights in Slovakia since the years 1968-69. Twenty long years of sterile "normalization," full of fear and compromise, had to pass before the people awakened, shook off their fear and showed themselves and the whole world the true face of the Communist system. The "Candle Demonstration" helped open the gate to November 1989.
Ivan Kamenec, Slovak Academy of Science, Institute of Historical Studies:
The event was one of the facilitating elements reflecting both the deepening crisis of the Communist totalitarian regime as well as the growth of the people's courage, even though only in a small portion of the society.
The "Candle Demonstration" was revolutionary from the perspective of growth of the self-confidence of the society. There had been no mass demonstration against the existing regime in Slovakia since 1969.
This demonstration was one of the forerunners of the fundamental social changes which began to happen almost two years later.
Ondrej Podolec, Slovak National Memory Institute's Director of Research:
I think that the courage of the organizers and participants of the demonstration was an encouragement and an inspiration for the "silent majority." On the other hand, the reaction of the regime was a reflection of its advanced erosion.
It is one of the significant dates in the modern Slovak history and we rightly commemorate it. Even today it is an example of the people's courage in the fight for religious freedom and against a totalitarian regime.
Milan Zemko, Slovak Academy of Science, Institute of Historical Studies:
The demonstration in March 1988 reminded us of one important thing - the right to exercise one's human and political rights. This right must always be valid as long as it does not threaten the rights and freedoms of others.
Of course, the fall of Communism was brought about by stronger world powers. Nevertheless, the demonstration undoubtedly contributed to the process leading to the fall of Communism.
Historians
