The Directorate-General for Justice, Freedom and Security of the European Commission Presents Eleven Video Clips

November 3, 2009

- Marking the 20th Anniversary of Democratic Change in Central and Eastern Europe

BRUSSELS, November 3 /PRNewswire/ -- 1989 was a year of great change, a major turning point, for all those living in the Eastern Bloc. The revolutions of 1989 ushered in a new era of democracy. Now, 20 years on, eyewitnesses recall what it was like to live during this time and how the revolutions have shaped their lives.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/tipik/37567/

Eleven short video clips offer a powerful snapshot of that time. Memories from those on the forefront of democratic change tell of their very first glimpses of the freedom. The clips cover events in Germany, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Through these clips, we share the experiences of people from all walks of life who bring this particular moment in history to life. We hear from a journalist who covered the Romanian revolution and the country's very first democratic elections, from participants of the peaceful student demonstrations that took place in Prague, as well as from many others who speak of what this time meant for them.

These clips serve to highlight the dramatic changes witnessed by people living through an epoch which shook the whole of Europe and led to the expanded EU we share today. Lasting roughly 3 minutes each, the films are free for use individually or together in editorial broadcasts, webcasts and radio reports.

To view the 11 videos: multimedia.tipik.eu/year-that-changed-europe