Pionýr (Czechoslovakia)
Pionýr (literally: Pioneer) was a youth marxist-leninist organization in communist Czechoslovakia. The organisation proclaimed the group was voluntary, but the joining of every child from six years old was expected.
Etymology
The Czech word pionýr is an approximate synonym of the word skaut (scout). Both are loan words from English and both are connected with the Czech idealization of the Wild West. Therefore the Pionýr's inspiration from the scout movement is obvious.
Activities
Pioneer activities were eclectically chosen from the Scout movement, the Sokol movement and of course Soviet Komsomol.
There are significant differences between activities in the early communist era and the late one. Its radicalism was changing over time. Pioneer was most radical in the 1950s and became more liberal during the 80s due to perestroika.
Original pioneer activities included for instance old paper or herb collecting described as “voluntary help for Czechoslovak industry.” Collecting was a nationwide competition. The winning pioneer team got a prize, a focus of mass media and it was a great reference for their later career life.
Another activity was creating a poster wall praising the Soviet Union and socialist life in general.
A common activity was “navázání družby” (“creating a friendship”) with youth from other communist countries.
Young pioneers also recited poems in various communist festivals.
Most controversial activity was young pioneers were led to denounce their parents like the Soviet hero Pavlik Morozov.
Most popular activity was a summer camp. Some summer camps specialized in the hosting of youth communist organizations from the whole Eastern Bloc.
Ideology
UV ČSM Regulation from 1949:
The Pioneer
- is an ideal for other boys and girls
- loves his people’s democracy fatherland. He is proud of his nation that practices socialism under presidential leadership of Klement Gottwald.
- wish freedom and peace to all nations. Loves our liberator, the Soviet Union, the land of freedom, peace and socialism.
- learns well. Pioneer is prepared for school well every day, likes books, his education never ends. He does it to be conscious and useful builder of socialism.
- is hardworking. Respects every works what brings profit to masses and he joins it in possibility of his personal forces. Primarily helps his parents.
- cares about his health. Looks after his cleanness. He is tough enough to be strong worker and defender of fatherland.
- is disciplined. Listens to his parents, teachers and leaders. He is conform with will of collective.
- defends his pioneer honor. Fights for truth, he is honorable and responsible, he is not selfish and acts fairly.
- is young keeper of his land. He loves nature, respects everything created by people working and he is sparing. He protects common property, guards it against pests and enemies.
- is loyal serious comrade. He helps classmates and he is friend of young children.
- is preparing for his joining to ČSM (note: Československý svaz mládeže – literally Czechoslovak union of youth). He must be always and everywhere great example of pioneer to be accepted to ČSM which unites best builders of The Republic.
Uniform
Uniform consisted of a light blue shirt and grey trousers. Girl variant used a white shirt and dark blue trousers or skirt. Both sexes wore a red scarf.
Postcomunism Controversy
After the fall of the Communist regime in 1989, the dissolution of The Pioneer was debated. The resulting compromise was a reform of the whole movement. This decision is considered to be controversial because Pioneers were a significant symbol of communist dictatorship.[citation needed] Pioneers nowadays are paradoxically more liberal than Scouts.[citation needed]