PragueBuzz!

Graffiti has its root all the way back to 1968 when the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia. The Czechs painted graffiti ridiculing the Soviet government, to show their non-violent resistance. When the Velvet Revolution was over and Communism officially collapsed in Czechoslovakia, graffiti fought its way back into society as the youngsters felt the urge to express themselves. These kinds of behaviors, to me, make sense given these people had lived for years under the oppressing communist regime. [link]

Today, when you travel around the Czech Republic, you will see graffiti painted every where. This has become a nuisance to the Czech people and the government; however this street-art never ceases to amuse me.

The Czech government passed a tough law to punish these graffiti artists, imposing a one-year sentence or a fine ($80) to minor and up to eight years in prison to those who do serious damages to the buildings. Still people keep doing it and risking fines and arrest. You can not help wondering why. Perhaps:

A city is an egotistical thing and making graffiti is just the same as building cities. In my view, this is a perfectly natural means of expression for city people…

Read the interview with former graffiti artist. [link]

Photos of graffiti in Prague and around the world.