Ján Šebák

* 1931

Politický vězeň 50. let v ČSR, PTP (Pomocně technické prapory), Svědci lokálních událostí spojených s druhou světovou válkou, Svědci lokálních událostí z éry komunismu
Komunistický převrat v ČSR, Osvobozování Československa, Počátek kolektivizace zemědělství
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    Affray in front of the cinema and the trial

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    délka: 01:33
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    “I went to the cinema with my girlfriend, who was already in there. However, after I saw that Russian film, I felt like if swarm of wasps attacked me, I began to grumble and of course, the organizers – head and director of the cinema – dragged me out of the cinema and both of them battered me helter-skelter. I had to go to the doctor, who gave me a paper, which I filed at the court. My uncle told me to press charges. My dad wasn't such a fighting spirit, he was very humble man. I contacted a lawyer Ochrimovič, who was a very good advocate and I thought we would have taught the communists a lesson. But no way! That was a huge mistake. On the contrary, it was me that got a harsh lesson by the communists. Even the advocate was sure we would teach them. The trial was completely about something else and I happened to be in the position of the accused one. Only one of my witnesses lasted. They all were afraid and so they didn't even attend the trial. Unfortunately, this guy was my namesake! There were about 30 of us in the hall, but whatever I said was totally invalid.”

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    Joining up the PTP (1952)

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    délka: 01:35
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    “I enlisted in PTP in August 1952. We had to gather in Považská Bystrica at the district military headquarters, where the training began. In the evening we were set off by an armed escort to a train to Žilina. For the whole time we didn't know where we were going. Nobody told us. At night they loaded us to the trains, there were many of us, and we didn't know anything. I didn't even know I was assigned to the Auxiliary Technical Battalions, I didn't assume something like that existed. I wasn't interested in politics since I couldn't stand that communism. I was more interested in the West and the things happening there. We were traveling overnight and we finally arrived to Most. No one knew what to expect. Some said we were about to join the sappers, however, our sappers were called pickaxe and shovel! Even worse thing was, that they gave us German togs! One shoe was bigger, another one too tight. Just move and shut up!”

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    Germans in Pružina (1944/1945)

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    délka: 00:48
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    “Well, it happened this way. The Germans, obviously shot down the partisans. I don't exactly know how many, but then the Germans came here. There was one blacksmith who used to forge horseshoes in our village. The Germans came to see the mayor, Mr. Anton Kardoš, and told him they needed carriage and horses. As he was leading them towards the horses' owner, they shot him down on the way, this mayor.”

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    Pružina, 14.10.2017

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    délka: 01:42:49
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Until my death, faith shall be my strength

Black Baron
Black Baron
zdroj: archív pamätníka
zdroj: archív pamätníka
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Ján Šebák was born on February 26, 1931 in Pružina. He comes from a poor Catholic family. He attended elementary school in his native village and as a sixteen year-old boy he left to work to Prague in Škoda factory. After some time he returned home and in December 1949 he was beaten in front of the village cinema because of criticizing a Soviet movie. He pressed charges against the attackers, but in the end, he was the one being charged against. He got two years of conditional sentence with a three-year postponement. In August 1952 he had to enlist in the Auxiliary Technical Battalions (PTP), and he spent 27 months in Most, Litvínov, Bílina, including 3 months being in the military hospital in Terezín. After returning to the civilian life, with great difficulties he managed to get employed at the Central Slovak Energetic Distribution Company in Považská Bytrica, from where he was later transferred to a district branch in Beluša. From here he left to retirement. After the Velvet Revolution he co-founded and was engaged in the district committee of the Public Against Violence Movement (VPN). Later he also became a member of the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), however, due to disapproval with the party‘s policy, he resigned. Nowadays he lives retired in Pružina.  

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Príbeh, ktorý sa začal v kine

  • datum:
    30.08.2005
  • typ média:
    Broadcasting
  • název média:
    SME.SK - MY Považská (internet portal)
  • autor:
    Pavol Vitko