Cold War Conversations Podcast

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Liz Kohn has been researching Alice Glasnerová, who was imprisoned as part of the early Cold War Czechoslovak show trials known as the Slansky trials.

These were among the most notorious show trials of the 20th century, with the prosecution and sentencing to death of Rudolf Slánský, general secretary of the Czechoslovak Communist party, and 10 other defendants, who had been arrested in a brutal purge ordered by Stalin.

Alice Glasnerová was Liz’s father’s first wife. When Liz started researching Alice’s life she had never seen a picture of her and had never read a word she had written. All I knew was that she had been married to her father and had been a member of the communist party. Liz has pieced together a tragic story of a couple although deeply in love, who were separated by the difference in their political views which ultimately resulted in pain, disillusion and betrayal.

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0:00 Introduction to Liz Kohn and her research on Alice Glasnerova

6:17 Alice Glasnerova's political journey and experiences in the Soviet Union

14:58 Alice's experiences in Spain and the aftermath

17:13 Alice's journey to America and the impact of Anti-Semitism

20:02 Alice's return to Czechoslovakia and involvement in the war

27:21 The communist takeover in Czechoslovakia and its impact on Alice's life

31:04 Alice's arrest and her involvement with Noel Field

43:38 The notorious Slansky trial and its outcomes

49:21 Helena's trial, imprisonment, and post-release struggles

1:00:52 Future plans for the story of Alice and Helena

1:01:59 Closing remarks, appreciation for patrons, and invitation to join the Facebook group

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