Memorial plaque honouring songwriter Karel Kryl unveiled in Ostrava

A memorial plaque to the late poet and songwriter Karel Kryl was unveiled in Ostrava on Tuesday outside the entrance of the Czech Radio building. Tthe square facing the building has also been renamed, to Karel Kryl Corner.

Kryl, who was born in Moravia, was among the best-known political songwriters in Czechoslovakia under communism. His song "Bratříčku zavírej vrátka" (Close the gate, little brother) is inextricably linked with suppression of the Prague Spring and resistance to the Soviet-led invasion.

He spent most of his years in exile, after being forced to leave Czechoslovakia in 1969, and died of heart failure in Munich, in March 1994 .

Author: Brian Kenety