Between Two Homes: Crossing the Borders of a Divided World Through the Personal Accounts of Czechoslovak Seafarers (1970s–1980s)

This study examines the professional mobility of former Czechoslovak seafarers, focusing on their perceptions of freedom and also its constraints during times when this fundamental right was severely restricted by the authoritarian regime. Although the broader context covers nearly forty years of communist rule, the paper concentrates on the 1970s and 1980s, with the primary sources being direct interviews with seafarers, complemented by archival materials. These personal narratives reveal a persistent ambivalence toward freedom as well as the inherent restrictions, along with continuous, implicit negotiations with the regime. While they benefited directly from international work-related travel, they were also subject to a constant risk of having such opportunities rescinded at the discretion of superiors and Communist Party authorities.