Reporting on the 1989 Revolution in Romania and the Czechoslovak Velvet Revolution (357)

Cold War Conversations

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 19 July 2024

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Allan Little recounts his journey from his student days in Edinburgh to working as a journalist the front lines of Cold War history in Eastern Europe and beyond. In 1989 he found himself on the night shift at the BBC’s Today programme in London when the Berlin Wall fell. Witnessing the world change in real time Allan’s desire to be part of these monumental events grew stronger. He shares is his experience as a journalist during the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia. Allan describes the electrifying atmosphere of Wenceslas Square and the fear of a violent crackdown. Allan also takes us to Romania during the fall of Nicolae Ceaușescu's brutal regime. He recounts in detail the chaos, the gunfire, and the bloody reality of the revolution’s human cost . The episode also delves into his time covering the 1991 Gulf War in Baghdad. He describes the eerie experience of watching the city being bombed from his hotel room and the resilience of the people around him. As the episode draws to a close, Allan reflects on the lessons he's learned from his career. He reminds us that while we may know what a society is transitioning from, we should be cautious in predicting what it is transitioning to. His insights are a powerful reminder of the complexities of history and the importance of journalism. Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode357/ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
0:05.9	Timothy Shalame is Bob Dylan and a complete unknown.
0:09.4	If anyone who's going to hold your attention on the state, you have to kind of be a freak.
0:14.0	Critics agree it's outstanding on every level. Five stars.
0:19.1	Shalemate is a revelation.
0:20.8	What do you want to be?
0:21.9	Whatever it is, they don't want me to be.
0:23.8	Now nominated for the Golden Globes for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Supporting
0:27.7	Actor, Edward Norton, a complete unknown.
0:30.6	Ladies and gentlemen, Bob Bill!
0:32.4	In cinema's January 17, rated 15.
0:35.8	But I remember being in a hospital when news came on the television that the Chalchesquist had been captured and in fact killed.
0:43.2	They showed pictures of Nikolai and Yelina, Chalchescu lying in the snow dead.
0:48.9	And the medical staff and the patients all erupted in ecstasy.
0:53.7	They cheered to the echo as though they were watching
0:56.0	some football match and their team had scored. It was a very striking moment and you got a real
1:01.0	sense of how hated these two had been. This is Cold War Conversations and if you're new here,
1:09.9	you've come to the right place to listen to first-hand accounts of the Cold War.
1:14.7	Do make sure you follow us in your podcast app so you don't miss out on future episodes.
1:20.5	Alan Little recounts his journey from his student days in Edinburgh to working as a journalist on the front lines of Cold War history in Eastern Europe
1:28.5	and beyond. In 1989 he found himself on the night shift at the BBC in London when
1:34.3	the Berlin Wall fell. Witnessing the world change in real time, Alan's desire to be part
	...

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