Page 38 - Studia Universitatis Hereditati, vol 11(2) (2023)

with little inclination to welcome foreigners, Savas’s recollection of Těchonín illuminates
this history of welcoming refugees, or to put it a familial history rooted in refuge, not only for
otherwise, the Communist past of welcoming himself, but also for others. This history also un-
refugees, is gradually being erased, since it is part derpins a sense of welcome and gratitude in East-
of the Communist past that the former Eastern ern countries. Consequently, the family’s histor-
Bloc countries no longer wish to remember. For ical memory intertwines with a collective history
refugees in Greece, on the other hand, this com- of refugees from the Greek Civil War, spanning
munist past is a past of hospitality was the op- beyond Czechoslovakia (Figures 8 & 9).
portunity for them to survive and build a life, As Halbwachs observes (1997, 63), this is a
while waiting to return to Greece without hav- shared connection:
ing to prove their condition as exiles.
It is insufficient to piece together the image
Photo 8: The director of the Těchonín and partners of a past event in order to form a memory.
38
of the Red Cross, around 1960 (source: Savas’ personal The reconstruction must rely on communal
archive) data or ideas held by both us and others, as
studia universitatis hereditati, letnik 11 (2023), številka 2 / volume 11 (2023), number 2
these continually exchange from one person ti
to another and vice versa. This type of shar-
ing is only achievable if we are all part of the
same society. ta
While the history of Savas is collective, it
may not necessarily be deemed as a lasting her-
itage produced by its subjects. The testimony of
Savas is the sole source available to us of the pe- di
riod in question. Nonetheless, the photographs
of the location expand upon his testimony. Im-
ages of refugees represent more than solely an in-
dividual, and their tangibility permits us to un-
derstand and visualize the collective hardships
endured, that have been manifested in places of
refuge. These captured images of life reveal a his- here
torical narrative that spans generations – those
featured in the photograph, the one who holds it
and the one who will inherit it.
During the interview, Savas emphasized
the importance of documenting the history of
Photo 9: Savas’s sister with a Czech nurse in Těchonín,
around 1958 (source: Savas’ personal archive) Těchonín, stressing the need for wider recogni-
tion beyond the former refugees in Czechoslova-
kia, many of whom are not acquainted with it.
During interviews with Savas, I enquired He ended the interview by expressing his desire
about his fascination with the Těchonín case. for proving the existence of Těchonín’s by help
Aside from its history as a convalescent haven of research, stating: ‘I am currently 68–69 years
that saved 600 refugees, Savas emphasized the old and unsure of my longevity. I am likely one of studiauniversitatis
significance of Těchonín as the foundation for the last individuals with such a connection [with
his family’s existence: ‘Without Těchonín, we the Techonin site] and therefore hope evidence
wouldn’t be here today.’ of its existence will be proven.’