Several laureates absent from culture awards ceremony amid criticism of format

The annual awards ceremony for outstanding contributions to culture, held on Sunday night, was surrounded by controversy. Several laureates failed to attend the event, which took place without a live television broadcast and with a limited number of guests.

Around a quarter of the seats in the Rudolfinum's Suk Hall remained empty, and Culture Minister Oto Klempíř was also absent due to illness. Only five of the seven awards were presented.

The ceremony was preceded by a protest outside the venue. Participants criticised the decision to move the event from the National Theatre's New Stage, where it had previously been attended by a broad representation of the cultural community, and to restrict the number of invited guests. The Culture Ministry cited the need to economize as the reason for the changes.