Discotheque – night club – illustration photo.
Pilsen – The Ukrainian discotheques, organized in the Pilsen club Aréna under the controversial name Bandera party, have changed their name. The original name, referring to the leader of the Ukrainian nationalists from the Second World War Stepan Bandera, caused a stir on social networks some time ago. The police began to look into the matter, and Pilsen mayor Roman Zarzycký (ANO) objected to the organization of an event with such a name. A post with an apology and information about changing the name of the event to the Ukrainian Party has now appeared on the Facebook page of the event, signed without the names of the organizers of the event.
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“We apologize to everyone who was affected by the original name. We did not realize how much emotion the person of S. Bandera evokes in part of Czech society. We perceive him as a fighter for an independent and democratic Ukraine against the Stalinist Soviet dictatorship and a prisoner arrested by the Nazi Gestapo. But we cannot ignoring his dark side and the appalling actions of some of his followers,” the statement said.
People on social networks criticized the fact that the name of the event professed Nazism. During World War II, Bandera, as the leader of Ukrainian nationalists, unilaterally declared an independent Ukrainian state and relied on the support of the German Wehrmacht. But he was arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned. Meanwhile, his followers collaborated with the Germans in some places, and fought against them in others. They then brutally expelled the Poles from today's western Ukraine and, according to Polish estimates, killed over 100,000 people. They were also responsible for the extermination of Jews and Volyn Czechs. Bandera is considered one of the most controversial figures in European history. He was murdered by a Soviet agent in Germany in October 1959.
The organizers of the event further stated in the announcement that they do not want to lead a historical controversy, but they also do not want to provoke anyone in the Czech Republic – that is why they changed the name. “We organized the event in the past without any media attention, it took place as a normal dance party and many of our Czech friends took part. We have lived in the Czech Republic permanently for many years and we respect the people here very much. We apologize once again for the name of the event, which evoked so many emotions , hatred, stories and untruths. We wish for peace and tranquility without fascism and Nazism for Ukraine and the Czech Republic,” the organizers of the event concluded in a statement. today, ČTK police spokesperson Dagmar Brožová.
The organizers have previously stated on the Internet that the event is primarily in support of the armed forces of Ukraine. According to them, from the proceeds of the disco, which took place on January 14, sleeping bags, thermal underwear, tactical gloves, mats, personal hygiene products and first aid medicines were purchased for the needs of the army.
