Interview with Jozef Imrich
When does your story start?
Jozef left his home in 7th of the July 1980.
What made you leave your home?
Communism and suppression, what he had experienced - enough is enough.
His aunty was his inspiration - she had attempted to cross.
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
What is the iron curtain?
In 1961 - The act Germans used to run over to west Germany, Czechs used to run over to Austria. So they decided this could not happen. Border - split brothers and sisters and cousins from one another. Lots of people died, trying to fly over. He was probably one of the last ones to attempt.
There were 2 soldiers armed with guns. He and his friends were supposed to swim for about 10-20 meters to cross the cold river, It was a very wild river. He took clothes off except pants, he didn't care if they caught him - what can they do to me? I'll go to jail. He took off shoes, backpack, jacket - he was a better swimmer than his friends. He took everything off, didn't care- he had some gold in his backpack to help along the way. Threw off his backpack, and clothes and just started to swim, but his friends he was with ran in and started swimming with their clothes on. He was a strong swimmer - the only one who survived - the dog survived as well.
Andre was one of his best friends. He knew him from when he was about 5.
What was driving you to never give up and keep going?
The concept of freedom - no time to think. Environment your in. Once you go you're committed, you have no choice - you cannot go back, you're shot.
What have you lost?
- My Country
- My Friends
- I was really close to his sister
When he came to Austria he could speak only a little bit of German.
What have you gained?
If he knew his friends were going to drown, he would not have done it ever - surviving it was what he has gained.
If you could put all your experiences down to one key lesson which you have learned, what would it be?
Do not exchange one brutalism with another. Have checks and balances, you need values that people appreciate: democracy, freedom. I have learnt that you need to share the power; if you don't share you become absolutely power corrupt. "Absolutely power corrupt that is what you want to avoid"
Very few things are what they seem, it is very subjective - the only things you cannot take away are the facts. People drowned because they wanted to experience freedom.
How has Freedom changed your life?
In 1984, I wasn't able to see his family until then, I met with them in Austria. For 9 years he couldn't go back. 4 years later - it was overwhelming. They coped with a lot, they were interviewed and suffered with the thought of him crossing the Iron Curtain.
Is it real freedom?
It is improvement but it is not perfect. What is the definition of real freedom? "Democracy is like bread - miche (miche is a delicious Czechoslovakian bread), everyday you have to make it fresh - if you don’t make it fresh everyday - you forget it, it goes stale.'' Greed has no limits, under Communism it is the same thing. All cultures are greedy it does not matter.
Did anybody help you along the way or was it your own journey?
His dog Bessie, helped him by allowing him to hold onto her for breath. His dog survived. Bessie died in 1998, she died before he was able to see her. She had to go to quarantine for 9 months. He couldn't stay with her or afford her. Bessie means devil in Russian and Bessie was also an American girl in 1960's movies. Double meaning dog got a name of a devil and a beautiful girl. Only animal in the history of The Cold War 1945-1989 to gain political asylum. Everything in his life had two meanings, nothing was simple. For example, Jozef couldn't give Bessie a good life - she had a good life with the family she was living with.