MARTA KUBIŠOVÁ

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, which restored democracy to former Czechoslovakia. To accentuate this significant milestone, the Czech Embassy honors the gifted Czech singer, resilient freedom fighter, actress, animal lover, and mother: Marta Kubišová.  Her song A Prayer for Martha (Modlitba pro Martu) served as a symbol of national resistance against the occupation of Warsaw Pact troops in 1968.  At the height of her career, she sang with the popular group The Golden Kids as well as solo, winning the Golden Nightingale Award three times and recording over 200 SP records. In 1970, her music reign toppled after trumped up charges were brought against her by the communists, which banned her from performing.  As a freedom fighter, she worked tirelessly as a spokesperson for the human rights manifesto Charter 77. Ultimately, she helped lead the 1989 Velvet Revolution with her voice, uniting the people through her renowned ballad.