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When the competition closes in June, I shall turn 75 years of age. If I were to
win, which is not in the cards, I wonder if my legs would be strong enough to
see the many architectural classics of Prague. However, I am one of those people that keeps ,on making an effort. At least, I should get a little credit for
standing up and taking part in your competition.
Throughout the years, I have received many small gifts, and QSl cards, all a
part of the SW hobby. The best gift I received is the booklet of Radio Prague
celebrating its 65th year as a thriving station. I enjoy the nostalgic past,
and pages ten and eleven I enjoyed studying with an enlargening glass or
usually called a magnifying glass. I looked over the photo of the stamped envelopes, and they are a treasure in themselves. Also the QSl card from 1936
was the 'cat's Meow'. And, we are never too old to learn, although age often
wipes out information we have attained through reading or seeing. So, I have
seen the Blatnerphone on page nine. This is something I knew nothing of. You
can live a lifetime, and it isn't enough time to learn all there is to learn.
I could make all kinds of comments about the booklet which I thought was good
enough to put on the market.
Prague remins me of hundreds of things. I used to like Czech beer, but unfortunately my beer drinking days are limited to perhaps one glass so that I don't
get dizzy. Ha. Ha. But getting past the drinks, I would have liked to have
seen the Charles Bridge and the Prague Castle, and other great architecture in
and around Prague. Museums are a part of Prague, as are the music festivities.
All these places would be a new chapter in my lifetime.
Prague is also the modern, as well as the old cultural center which came into
being under President Havel. It would be pleasant to shake his hand and wish
him well. I remember when he got a decoration in the USA for his courage, and
his democratic aspirations. He helped put the Czech Republic on the map, and
gave the Czech citizens pride in their achievments after the Communist fall.
Radio Prague is a reminder in itself of the "Prague Spring" and the aftermath.
I have been a listener since the days of Communism, and one needs to know both
sides of the story. I also think of Olga Szantova who seems to be the cornerstone of the station. I may favor her by mentioning her, but we both lived in
New York City. She has made much of herself, and to Radio Prague she is like a
valuable piece of jewelry, glowing on the airwaves.
For uncountable years, I have enjoyed the jazz on RX Prague, and Quite often
the prose and poetry. There are also topics that are tops in programs. I recall the topics on trams or trolley cars sold to a city in the USA, and I
thought of it as very favorable, and contributing to the success in Czech
business. There have been so many worthwhile topics and items that it bogs the
mind to remember them all.
Radio Pragues central fame is the people who work there, and those who formerly served on RX Prague. Many good voices have I heard. Not only is Prague mentioned but also Moravia, Bohemia, Brno, etc.
It goes without saying that the listener's are often critical, like myself,
but we also give credit to those, and to the topics talked of when they are
deserved. In this world nothing is one-sided or just black & white.
A word about the QSL cards that RX Prague puts out. I remember the series of
wildlife cards from years back, and the ancient cars, radios, and now the
UNESCO, QSLs, all showing the carful planning of your station through all the
years. There have been many pleasant surprises from RX Prague that one must
not forget.
Yes, I would like to be an observer of your cultural modes. There certainly
are many people shaping the destiny of your country.
Soon President Havel will step down, and who will be the new president? We
can only hope that the transition will be in favor of the Czech Republic.
The Czech government has risen from the ashes of conflict with the nazi in-
vaders, and Communist forces. The Czech Republic needs to be a leader in the
democratic future in its region.
The Director Miroslav Krupicka has done a wonderful job in putting together
Radio Prague's very readable and extraordinary history. Many thanks to him.
Also David Vaughan has a load of responsibilities on his shoulders. However,
I feel that there is cooperation between the Heads of the station & the body
of workers.
The fabulous years were when we had the Radio Praha Monitor Klub. All the SW
listeners took pride in their certificates. I wish we could turn the clocks
back to the pleasant times, discarding the conflicts, etc.
To draw this entry to a close, I wish I could see the operations of the broad-
casting, the offices and sending areas. That in itself would be a delight.
It has been my pleasure to 'try'. TNX...
Sincerely
J. Haapamäki, Sweden
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