Rock 鈥榥鈥 roll was a major vehicle for great change in Czechoslovakia. At first, it was restricted by the state to only be Czech covers of famous Western singers and bands, done by Czech stars such as Karel Gott and Ji艡铆 Korn, and the public could not buy, sell, or distribute any Western music album. Bands like The Plastic People of the Universe and Katapult, and song artists, opposed the Communist regime by breaking their rules and directly speaking out against them, respectively. The trouble they caused for their government soon turned into action and protests.
Eurovision 2025
Although Eurovision started as an experiment in broadcasting, it is now a show-stopping competition that unites Europe. The Central European nations of Czechia and Slovakia have a relatively short, yet important history with Eurovision. While Czechia鈥檚 the only of the two still competing, this 2025, their next entry is a Slovak named Adonxs, an accomplished artist of many skills.
Intervision
Intervision began as the Eastern bloc alternative to Eurovision, initiated by Czechoslovakia鈥檚 national television broadcaster. Though the initial contest lasted four years, it was abruptly ended by 鈥淣ormalization鈥 in Czechoslovakia. The Intervision concept gets picked up by Poland鈥檚 broadcaster for their Sopot International Festival, where it lasts four more years before being interrupted by political upheaval, yet again. Though the future of Intervision is uncertain, its past is worth a look for the intersection between art and politics.