Slide One
Why did the Eastern European youth want to listen to rock music so badly?
It represented individualism and provided something contrary to Communist beliefs.
What was the name of Geza Ekecs' radio program?
Teenager Party
How long did Geza Ekecs host "Teenage Party"?
3 decades
How did the listeners of Ekecs' show respond and interact?
The listeners sent Ekecs letters detailing their adoration of him and his program, as well as expressing their political views.
Who was the main target of RFE's usual cultural programs?
Adults
What inspired Charles Andras to try and create a Hungarian Rock program?
His teenage daughter's obsession with American Rock music
What was Geza Ekecs most interested in?
Movie and music making
Why was Ekecs worried about Janos Kadar's statement that the RFE station "played good music"?
Ekecs feared that the American Public would not agree with their taxes being used to support a "political station known best for it's popular music."
What was one thing RFE had on its cultural programs for people to listen to?
Patriotic/Anticommunist" Poems
" Books
Exiled Musicians/Conductors
Banned Composers
What struggles did new VOA hosts face when trying to connect with eastern European listeners?
Their commentary had to be translated
What was the sandwich strategy?
Placing "Teenage Party" between two openly political broadcasts as a means of spreading anti-communist ideas
How did Ekecs continue to be open minded and bring the music of the times to the people via his programs?
Ekecs included popular music and brought was what hip with the people to the forefront, even if he was not personally inclined toward the new musics.
What country broadcast an exiled conductor with a German group in 1956?
Czechoslovakia
How did many communist governments try to combat the spread of western music?
By manufacturing Pro-Soviet compositions
How did Geza Ekecs engage his listeners more so than other hosts?
He translated American slang and titles into Hungarian, he also was one of the only hosts who actually spoke the language of the country to which he was broadcasting
How did Ekecs protect himself and his family while working his broadcasting career.?
He used a radio name.
Who were the two composers featured at the concert I mentioned at the end of my slide?
Smetana and Dvorak
What nickname did Geza Ekecs go by to protect his family?
Lazlo Czeke
How did Geza Ekecs insert his political beliefs onto his show?
By comparing the exciting developments in free societies with the "communist wasteland"