Culture minister criticizes writer Radka Denemarková's Frankfurt Book Fair speech

Culture Minister Oto Klempíř on Wednesday criticized Czech writer Radka Denemarková’s appearance at Tuesday’s opening ceremony of the Frankfurt Book Fair. Speaking to a Czech News Agency reporter, he said he could get over anonymous booing and shouts from the audience, but Denemarková’s criticism had upset him.

According to Klempíř, the Czech literary scene and Czech writers have the ministry’s full support and must surely be aware of the fact.

In her speech, Denemarková said that “culture ministers who destroy culture come and go, but literature remains.” Her remark was met with loud applause from the audience. She also brought up Klempíř’s cooperation with the communist secret police (StB) in the 1980s. Denemarková said she did not want to respond to Klempíř’s comments.