We moved to Prague, Czech Republic, in 2018. I’ve had in mind to write this article ever since shortly after we moved into our new apartment. I have tarried in writing it because of the heaviness of the subject.
The morning of 21 August 2018, we heard a voice over a loudspeaker, then a somber brass band. We went outside and around the block toward the sound at the ??eský rozhlas (Czech Radio) building. A crowd had gathered, and two dozen or so chairs were set out into the street. An honor guard with Czech flags and a small brass band were present. A lectern and some official-looking people stood in the entrance of the building. The mood was somber as someone spoke into a microphone.