The exhibition called The Unbroken opened in the Terezín Memorial, in the lobby of its Small Fortress cinema on September 19, 2024. Its author, Hana Procházková, is an employee of the Memorial´s Department of Documentation. The following interview highlights some of the facts from behind the scenes of the exhibition.
The exhibition features twenty-one panels that narrate the story of selected Czechoslovak Army officers. It outlines their lives and careers before the Nazi occupation, highlights their involvement in the resistance movement, and details their internment in the Gestapo Police Prison in the Small Fortress from 1940 to 1945, as well as in other locations. Additionally, the exhibition discusses the establishment of the Government Army during the Protectorate, and illustrates the development of domestic resistance, particularly in the military sector, after March 1939.
Visitors can learn about several notable personalities through the information displayed on the exhibition panels. For instance, they are introduced to the life stories of Army General Josef Bílý, Division General František Bláha, Army General Ludvík Krejčí, and Division General František Melichar. Their cameo portraits are displayed alongside copies of photographs and documents. During the exhibition at the Terezín Memorial, various 3D objects were arranged in several showcases. The photographs, documents, and exhibits for the display were provided by courtesy of the following institutions: Terezín Memorial, Central Military Archives, Military Museum Králíky, Memorial of National Resistance and Oppression in Panenské Břežany, Czech Television, National Film Archives, Pardubice Region and, last but not least, the families of former prisoners.
Hanka, could you describe when and how the idea to create this exhibition came about?
The initial inspiration for the exhibition came from the idea of one of my late friends, who was a passionate promoter of history, particularly regarding Czechoslovak prewar fortifications. Initially, I was approached to write a book or a brochure on this subject. Many people who know me are aware that I have been exploring the topic of domestic military resistance in wartime years for quite some time. My passion lies in uncovering the fascinating stories of brave men and women. I come from a military family and my first job was at the University of Defense in Brno. It may be a coincidence that I married a soldier, too. Overall, I have been connected to the army for more than twenty years, which makes my work, The Unbroken, a logical culmination of my experiences.
This exhibition likely came about through a combination of circumstances and fulfilled my plans and a promise that the previously mentioned friend unfortunately did not live to see realized. Moreover, I received support and guidance from my colleagues at the Terezín Memorial, who played a key role in helping me implement this project.
How many life stories have you included in the exhibition, and how did you choose the topics and personalities featured?
The exhibition The Unbroken presents fourteen life stories, primarily of high-ranking Army officers. I considered several factors when selecting the individuals to feature. On the one hand, I aimed to illustrate the different outcomes experienced by the imprisoned Army officers. On the other hand, I wanted to emphasize that the paths to joining the resistance were varied and complex. Ultimately, their common goal was singular: to eliminate German domination. Another of my primary intentions, and a principal one for me, was to highlight also the postwar experiences of selected officers. Some of them faced not only the harsh conditions of Nazi prisons but also endured imprisonment under Communist regimes. For instance, I would like to mention General Bohumil Borecký, who had been taken to a Soviet gulag in 1949, where he ultimately died in 1954.
The regional scope also influenced my selection process. Litoměřice and Terezín have historically been military towns, and I aimed to find individuals who were interned in the prison at the Small Fortress and had professional ties to either town. Some of the military figures mentioned had experiences in Terezín and the Small Fortress, first as soldiers and later as prisoners during the Protectorate. The key figures in this context were General František Melichar and Colonel Antonín Hron. Major Jan Pulkrábek is also associated with Terezín. Before the war, he attended a horse riding course in the garrison town of Terezín, where he naturally interacted with many soldiers. One of those soldiers was Theodor Hohaus. They later encountered each other again at the Small Fortress during the war; however, this time, Hohaus was in the position of a prison guard while Pulkrábek was an inmate.
A crucial aspect for me was whether I could connect with the descendants or relatives of the generals, and establish communication with them. If my search was successful, I invited these descendants to the preview of the exhibition in the Terezín Memorial. Thanks to these modern connections, which have reached beyond the borders of the Czech Republic and, in one case, even beyond the shores of Europe, none of these heroes will be forgotten. Their bravery and courage will continue to live on in the memories of their descendants.
It must be acknowledged that finding relevant materials for certain individuals, such as photographs and similar items, proved to be impossible. In summary, it was often difficult to locate any usable materials, which significantly restricted my choices when determining who would be featured on the exhibition panels.
Which exhibit, document, or photograph did you find most interesting?
The biggest surprise for me was acquiring one unique artifact for this exhibition: the diaries of General Bílý. He wrote these diaries clandestinely, addressing them to his wife, Hana. This is the first time they have been presented to the public. They provide an intimate account of the relationship between two people, who cope with difficult circumstances in life, documenting the general’s incredible love for his wife. However, the items were only on loan for the installation of the exhibition at the Terezín Memorial.
The exhibition at the Terezín Memorial featured a screen displaying to visitors various archival film footage on a loop. What kind of footage was it?
This footage was curated to complement and enhance the atmosphere of the exhibition’s topic and information. I was able to obtain three different film materials for this purpose. The first was a program from the 1960s produced by Czech Television (then Czechoslovak Television). This discussion program, called “On International Events“,[1] focused on what is known in Czech history as the “Munich Betrayal.” This episode features General Krejčí discussing the events leading up to the Munich Agreement of 1938 and the subsequent political developments.
Another source of audiovisual material for the exhibition was historical film footage from 1933, provided by the National Film Archives This depicted a military parade held that year in Prague´s Wenceslas Square in the presence of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and President of the Republic, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. The parade was led by Army General Josef Bílý, who was, unsurprisingly, visible in the footage.
The third audiovisual highlight was a short documentary produced for the Pardubice Region. This showed the Králice fortification area and also provided a dramatized invitation to visit the Czechoslovak fortifications. Needless to add, many people involved and described at the exhibition also participated in the documentary.
Did you manage to use all the materials, documents, and photographs you gathered while preparing for the exhibition?
When I was drafting the script, I already knew the specific locations within the Terezín Memorial where the exhibition would be installed. This knowledge helped me determine the number of panels needed. The exhibition is presented in both Czech and English, totaling 42 panels altogether. This also influenced the number of stories that could be featured on the panels.
However, I am aware of many others whose stories deserve to be made public and brought to light, especially considering everything they have endured. During the exhibition at the Terezín Memorial, I was approached by the families of other resistance fighters. One of them was the granddaughter of an individual who was not included in this exhibition. I had already thought that if I ever was crazy enough to pursue a sequel to this project, his story would be the first one I would address. Then, unexpectedly, his granddaughter reached out to me. Could this be a sign?
During the exhibition at the Terezín Memorial, guided tours were arranged for the public, family members of the Army officers featured on the panels, and other guests. These tours received a positive response. Additionally, a valuable catalog of the exhibition was published. Could you please share what the future holds for this collection of human stories?
The exhibition was displayed at the Terezín Memorial from autumn 2024 until the end of February 2025. Following this, the Czech version began touring the Czech Republic, starting in Brno at the University of Defense in mid-April. From the beginning of August 2025, it is showcased at the Military Museum in Králíky.
Anyone interested in the exhibition can borrow it by making prior arrangements with the Terezín Memorial. It is available in both Czech and English.
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The exhibition Unbroken was prepared with the help of colleagues from the Departments of Documentation, History, and Collections. Its artistic design was done in collaboration with the Terezín Memorial´s artist Miroslav Veselý. The author Hana Procházková spent two years with the exhibition and she herself adds to the topic: I lived with that exhibition for two years, those destinies entered my life and intertwined with it, they kept me company many, many evenings and it was fantastic company. I gained a very personal and very emotional relationship with those people. It was an honor to be in their presence.
Hana Procházková was interviewed by Naděžda Seifertová
[1] According to information on Czech Television´s online programming iVysílání, it was a documentary “On International Events“: The Munich events through the eyes of witnesses in a television debate from 1967. Army General Ludvík Krejčí is interviewed by journalist Gustav Bareš and historian Jan Kašpar about the details of the country´s capitulation in 1938. The debate was moderated by Kamil Winter.
