Czechs vs. Castro
Jay Nordlinger introduces us to the anti-Commies of the Czech Republic:
I’d like to introduce you to a Czech named Pavel Hroch. (And “Hroch” means “hippo” in Czech, he tells me!) Indeed, Pavel is the man who speaks good English that he calls “pidgin.” My main concern here is that he is affiliated with the group People in Need. This is that stirring Czech group-democratic, humanitarian, anti-totalitarian-that has long worked in Cuba (among other places). Its website is here.
I have written several times about the relations between the Czechs and the Cubans; I have cited People in Need. No one exceeds the Czechs when it comes to caring about Cuban suffering, and the fate of that island. It is indeed an extraordinary relationship.
Pavel Hroch has traveled to Cuba five times, beginning in 1997. I ask why the regime tolerates the presence of people like him. “It’s a mystery,” he answers. It could be that People in Need has become too renowned and admired to be denied. Pavel is a photographer, and in 1999-on the 40th anniversary of the Castro takeover-he went to Cuba to take 40 portraits. These are portraits of former political prisoners, or family members of current prisoners. The former prisoners are holding pictures of their younger selves; the family members are holding pictures of their loved ones.
I have a look at Pavel’s portraits, and they are both excellent and moving.
“How are things going in Cuba?” I ask. Pavel reports that the regime is feeling pretty cocky, thanks to infinite cheap oil from Hugo Chávez’s Venezuela. “At least that is my impression.” The people are, of course, desperately poor. A man or woman can’t make it through the month on a state salary. Some turn to prostitution; some rent out rooms, taking a risk, because that is illegal; etc.
Castro’s infamous “tourism apartheid” is still in place: separate hotels, restaurants, stores, clinics, and beaches for foreigners. Mixing with ordinary Cubans is strongly discouraged, when not impossible.
I ask Pavel whether Cubans will talk freely with him. When they are alone, yes, he says-or when they’re with a trusted friend. But in a group? Almost certainly not-far too dangerous.
Pavel has friends in prison, but he’s not able to visit them there. People in Need has never been allowed to visit prisons. “They won’t even let the Red Cross!” says Pavel. Odd that the world never squawks about this. Pavel, however, keeps in touch with families of prisoners, who are no doubt grateful for the concern.
People in Need is an NGO-a nongovernmental organization-and there are very few such groups in Cuba, Pavel explains. There’s a Dutch Christian outfit. And some Spanish organizations. But “no one from France or Germany-they’re all leftists.” Pavel chuckles at what some of have said about People in Need: “They call us ‘rightist hippies’!”
I ask what I have often asked: Why do Czechs feel a particularly affinity with Cubans? Pavel gives a familiar answer: “If you have the experience of Communism, you don’t have illusions.” And if you don’t have the experience, you may well have illusions.
When in Cuba, Pavel Hroch sees the same kind of thing he saw in his Prague youth: “Same old Communist sh**, but tropical.”
Perfectly said.
I’d like to introduce you to a Czech named Pavel Hroch. (And “Hroch” means “hippo” in Czech, he tells me!) Indeed, Pavel is the man who speaks good English that he calls “pidgin.” My main concern here is that he is affiliated with the group People in Need. This is that stirring Czech group-democratic, humanitarian, anti-totalitarian-that has long worked in Cuba (among other places). Its website is here.
I have written several times about the relations between the Czechs and the Cubans; I have cited People in Need. No one exceeds the Czechs when it comes to caring about Cuban suffering, and the fate of that island. It is indeed an extraordinary relationship.
Pavel Hroch has traveled to Cuba five times, beginning in 1997. I ask why the regime tolerates the presence of people like him. “It’s a mystery,” he answers. It could be that People in Need has become too renowned and admired to be denied. Pavel is a photographer, and in 1999-on the 40th anniversary of the Castro takeover-he went to Cuba to take 40 portraits. These are portraits of former political prisoners, or family members of current prisoners. The former prisoners are holding pictures of their younger selves; the family members are holding pictures of their loved ones.
I have a look at Pavel’s portraits, and they are both excellent and moving.
“How are things going in Cuba?” I ask. Pavel reports that the regime is feeling pretty cocky, thanks to infinite cheap oil from Hugo Chávez’s Venezuela. “At least that is my impression.” The people are, of course, desperately poor. A man or woman can’t make it through the month on a state salary. Some turn to prostitution; some rent out rooms, taking a risk, because that is illegal; etc.
Castro’s infamous “tourism apartheid” is still in place: separate hotels, restaurants, stores, clinics, and beaches for foreigners. Mixing with ordinary Cubans is strongly discouraged, when not impossible.
I ask Pavel whether Cubans will talk freely with him. When they are alone, yes, he says-or when they’re with a trusted friend. But in a group? Almost certainly not-far too dangerous.
Pavel has friends in prison, but he’s not able to visit them there. People in Need has never been allowed to visit prisons. “They won’t even let the Red Cross!” says Pavel. Odd that the world never squawks about this. Pavel, however, keeps in touch with families of prisoners, who are no doubt grateful for the concern.
People in Need is an NGO-a nongovernmental organization-and there are very few such groups in Cuba, Pavel explains. There’s a Dutch Christian outfit. And some Spanish organizations. But “no one from France or Germany-they’re all leftists.” Pavel chuckles at what some of have said about People in Need: “They call us ‘rightist hippies’!”
I ask what I have often asked: Why do Czechs feel a particularly affinity with Cubans? Pavel gives a familiar answer: “If you have the experience of Communism, you don’t have illusions.” And if you don’t have the experience, you may well have illusions.
When in Cuba, Pavel Hroch sees the same kind of thing he saw in his Prague youth: “Same old Communist sh**, but tropical.”
Perfectly said.