Culture Behind Bars: Women Political Prisoners and Prison Culture in Czechoslovakia 1948-1968

Marie Mrvova

doi:10.5920/ppp.545

Abstract

Research on women political prisoners in Czechoslovakia 1948–1968 reveals phenomena of culture in prison. Women secretly organised lectures and discussions, wrote poems and made various objects. Exploring gender perspectives of political imprisonment shows the differences and attitudes specific to women, who created an unique space to share and support each other. During my oral history interviews I conducted with former political prisoners, I collected photos of the objects women made and had the opportunity to discuss meaning of culture in prison. Such objects are strongly connected to our cultural memory and identity. I will argue that prison culture helped women to cope, unite and resist in cruel environment. Women's experiences of political persecution can provide better understanding of human behaviour under repressive regimes and allow us to reflect on the role of culture, knowledge and education in such circumstances.

Highlights

Women's experiences of political persecution can provide better understanding of human behaviour under repressive regimes and allow us to reflect on the role of culture, knowledge and education in such circumstances
If Czechoslovakian women political prisoners are still under-represented in historical studies dealing with Cold War repression, women's prison culture is almost entirely overlooked
This article draws on observations and information gained from oral history interviews conducted with former women political prisoners, combined with personal testimonies, memoirs, prison records, and material culture itself, for example objects, handicrafts women made in prison

Summary

Introduction

If Czechoslovakian women political prisoners are still under-represented in historical studies dealing with Cold War repression, women's prison culture is almost entirely overlooked. During my oral history interviews I conducted with former political prisoners, I collected photos of the objects women made and had the opportunity to discuss meaning of culture in prison.

Results

Conclusion