Birmingham, the largest city within the Warwickshire Miners’ Federation Coalfield, was the first to accept the invitation to join the national Lidice Shall Live campaign. Its citizens demonstrated complete empathy for the struggle of the Czech people as they inaugurated the second Lidice Shall Live committee by having a Lidice
Author: Alan Gerrard
I am the Co-Director of Theartbay Gallery and Fine Art Publishing—a community-focused exhibition space functioning in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
A trustee on today’s Staffordshire-based Lidice Lives organisation, I have co-operated on bilateral projects with friends and colleagues in Lidice and the wider Czechia for 12 years in the name of cultural awareness and understanding.
I began working in the pottery industry in the 1980s, before changing vocation in 1990. I am fully experienced and conversant in the fields of teaching, economics, and governance; and have recently published the book The Path to Lidice, the respective stories of the Lidice Shall Live and Lidice Lives campaigns.
A Time for Reflection on the Stoke-on-Trent – Lidice LinkA Time for Reflection on the Stoke-on-Trent – Lidice Link
Holocaust Memorial Day, a time when we consider the potential callousness of human behaviour if we are not forever vigilant, presents us with an opportunity to reflect on Stoke-on-Trent's friendship with Lidice and developments over the last decade or so.
Dr Barnett Stross and the Munich PactDr Barnett Stross and the Munich Pact
“The British people did not betray you, but would have gone to war on your behalf. It is not likely that the people of these islands will ever again allow any men to say that what happens in a far-off country to a free people is no concern of theirs.”
Renouncing the Munich PactRenouncing the Munich Pact
Formal negotiations on the renouncement of the Munich Agreement began at the end of January 1942. At a luncheon given by Anthony Eden on January the 21st, Dr Beneš was asked to prepare a proposal addressing the consequences of the Munich Conference - which would be acceptable to the British Government.
Broadcasting to the people of the ProtectorateBroadcasting to the people of the Protectorate
"Your hour of liberation is drawing near. Hold fast to your faith, faith in your own leaders in this country, faith in the miners of this country, faith in the United Nations who will again restore to you the liberty which you have lost and peace to this tortured world."
Rise of the Communists 1947 – 1948Rise of the Communists 1947 – 1948
It was Thursday, the 10th of July, and the audience with Marshal Stalin had been arranged for 9.30am. Masaryk and Drtina met half an hour earlier in one of the rooms of the State residence put at their disposal, but Gottwald was late. They became impatient as the minutes passed, so
Coventry and Czech Presidents, Kings and QueensCoventry and Czech Presidents, Kings and Queens
It was announced in late 1943 that Coventry was to join the Lidice Shall Live movement. The decision was made at a meeting at the Council House on Wednesday the 1st of December, attended by representatives of the churches, Civil Defence force, social and other organisations.
REMEMBERING VÁCLAV – 1938 – 2021REMEMBERING VÁCLAV – 1938 – 2021
On Saturday 13th November 2021, the community of Lidice and all those who knew him, raised a final glass to Václav Zelenka. Lidice had suffered a great loss but Václav's impact on humanity will remain impressed on the beating heart of communities around the world for generations
Lidice Shall Live and the Durham MinersLidice Shall Live and the Durham Miners
Dr Beneš, visited Durham on Sunday the 22nd of November 1942, at the invitation of the Durham Miners' Association. He thanked the miners of Durham and Great Britain for their camaraderie in supporting the people of Czecho-Slovakia during their darkest days.
The Role of UNRRA in Creating a New LidiceThe Role of UNRRA in Creating a New Lidice
UNRRA was a United States led initiative under the auspices of the United Nations. Set up in Washington D.C. on the 9th of November 1943 at the White House, it was signed off by Franklin D Roosevelt along with 44 signatories representing nations throughout the world (this was later extended to