The lecture by professor Austin, who is a recognized authority on the Balkan region as well as middle Europe, thematically concentrated on the events of the Prague Spring and the subsequent invasion by the Warsaw Pact armies followed by the era of „Normalization“. In his speech professor Austin engagingly compared historical context, goals and impacts of the revolution in Hungary in 1956 to the period of the Prague Spring in 1968. His lecture also touched upon current political developments in Europe and how influential the events of 1968 are on them to this day. Consul General Počuch then expanded on the topic by speaking about some of the moments typical of the political and social atmosphere of 1968. His own personal recollections from that memorable year were especially interesting for the listeners.

The accompanying photographic exhibition titled „Lights in Shadow“, owned by the Consulate General in Toronto, depicting protesters in the streets of Prague and other cities after the invasion of the armies of the Warsaw Pact contributed to the success of the evening.