Jozef Chrena

Jozef Chrena was born on March 10, 1948 in Moravský Svätý Ján where he grew up with his parents and three brothers. In their family there was natural resistance against the communist regime, which alongside other facts originated with the fact that in 1950s the regime confiscated their only cow. Even since childhood, Jozef Chrena felt artistic inclinations and after the elementary school he wanted to continue his studies at the famous Bratislava’s School of Art Industry, (today it is the Jozef Vydra’s School of Applied Arts in Bratislava). However, he wasn’t accepted. Since he didn’t have chance to do art professionally, he worked in various professions after finishing secondary school; during the second half of 1980s, for example, he was an ambulance driver. However, in his spare time he continued to devote himself to landscape painting. During the revolutionary days of November 1989, Jozef Chrena decided to help fight for freedom. In Moravský Svätý Ján in a public place he posted a self-painted poster informing readers about the upcoming nationwide general strike, presenting demands for free elections and an end to the communist tyranny. In the following days and weeks, despite telephonic and written threats of physical liquidation, he was engaged in organizing local manifestations and establishing the public party within a democratic program. Together with his friends they decided to organize a march towards the Morava River, where they wanted to carry out a friendly meeting with citizens of the neighboring Austrian village Hohenau. On December 30, 1989 they managed to organize a March of Freedom, which on the Slovak side was attended approximately by 15,000 people. The march was a success, and so Jozef Chrena was hopeful for a better future for his country. In spite of various disappointments occurring over the following years, he was still determined to see the fall of the communist regime and gaining back freedom for his people. Today Jozef Chrena is a respected painter.

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