When Michal Šufliarsky began to collect these items in 1969, his philosophy was that "what is forbidden is good." He worked as an employee of Czechoslovak television in Bratislava in the field of film and television production. His small private collection contains samizdat, recordings of Western music, photos of everyday life during communism, and unique recordings of student events. The activities of Mr. Šufliarsky are a good example of individual rather than political activism.
The Collection of Michal Šufliarsky is small private collection. Mr. Šufliarsky started to collect items representing cultural opposition in 1969. Spontaneously he began to be interested in activities at his school, in art, and in culture. His philosophy was, and is, that what is forbidden is good. He secretly collected things by smuggling them across borders. Additionally he acquired, copied, and distributed prohibited music, spoken word, films, books (samizdats). He was a member of the Jazz Section (Jazzová sekce) and actively involved in the revolution (he was a member of the Strike Committee), and Public Against Violence (Verejnosť proti násiliu). He worked in Czechoslovak television (later Slovak television). This collection is a result of his activities during the socialist regime. The authorities did not know about him, and he did his illegal activities in secret.
Mr. Šufliarsky has this collection at his home, but he is open to present it to people who are interested in these activities.
The activities of Mr. Šufliarsky are a good example of individual rather than political activism. His interests and the prohibited items he shared with friends both represent kinds of popular culture and underground culture as well. This collection documents the similar local activities of a lot of young people in Czechoslovakia.
Description of content
Mr. Šufliarsky worked in Czechoslovak Television (later Slovak Television). During communism, he collected things related to forbidden culture. This collection includes samizdats, books of Milan Kundera, Josef Škvorecký, copies of banned films, sound recordings, and photographs of what everyday life was like during the totalitarian regime in Slovakia.
