The Lennon Wall in Prague
In Prague we were unable to find any street art tours. We also were unable to find much street art on the streets. Everything was not lost though because we did find some art at a popular tourist stop. The neighborhood of Lesser Town is the home to the Lennon wall. Named after one of the Beatles band members, the Lennon wall was started in 1980 following the murder of John Lennon. Under Communist rule, the Prague youth illegally began to fill the wall with words from the Beatles songs and tributes to Lennon. The Lennon wall became a political outlet for the youth of the time when western music was illegal. John Lennon was pacifist hero to many of the Prague youth. Many attempts over the following years were made to clear the wall of art but each time it would refill again within days.
Today the Lennon wall is still alive with various pieces of art and words of peace. The face of John Lennon is still hovers in the center of the wall. The Czech government no longer fights with the community over the wall and it is now listed on several travel sights as a tourist place to see. The Czech Republic is now a democratic country and both tourists and locals fill the wall with statements of pacifism and art together.
We have been to several cities now where the government or private organizations have given today’s youth a public spot to post their works of art or too express their thoughts. I have now seen several examples of where this has been done to the benefit of everyone involved. I look forward to seeing more street art in more cities. Beth
