Lennon Wall

Bucket List item #752 – Lennon Wall

Prague, Czech Republic

Hidden down a back alley, tucked quietly away from the bustle of Malá Strana, lives a small section of wall that stands for something big.

Following the assassination of John Lennon, an unknown artist painted a single portrait on a forgotten section of wall. Like a bathroom stall in a girls’ locker room, the graffiti developed for years. It soon became a diary for Czech citizens, airing grievances with the communist regime and hopeful messages for the future.  The state of the wall would eventually reach a fever pitch when practitioners of Lennonism faced the police on the Charles Bridge. No matter how many times the government painted the wall, the sun would rise and the tiny stretch of wall wondrously reigned, dawning fresh art and words again and again.

Since the Velvet Revolution, the wall has thrived with throngs of visitors and newly painted graffiti daily. It stands as a symbol of hope and peace in a city that showed the world that non-violent protest could collapse a regime.

Today, you might visit the wall and experience a rush of Kumbaya and be hassled by photographers attempting to sell you pictures of yourself dawning a smile and peace sign in front of the wall, but don’t forget the history. Every layer of paint that wall boasts is a story of yesterday, and to be privileged enough to visit and pose for an Instagram photo in front of that wall is a call for a moment of recognition.

This bucket list check is free. This bucket list check is easy. This bucket list check is simple. This bucket list check is important. History is important.