Allen Ginsberg in Olomouc, part 4

Allen Ginsberg reading King of May and The Return of the King of May. Czech versions come first read by actor Mikuláš Pánek.

Wikipedia says: "Ginsberg travelled to several Communist countries to promote free speech. He claimed that Communist countries, such as China, welcomed him because they thought he was an enemy of Capitalism, but often turned against him when they saw him as a trouble maker. For example, in 1965 Ginsberg was deported from Cuba for publicly protesting persecution of homosexuals. The Cubans sent him to Czechoslovakia, where one week after being named the Král majálesu ("King of Majáles" -- students' festivity, celebration of the spring and student life), Ginsberg was labelled an "immoral menace" by the Czechoslovak government because of his free expression of radical ideas, and was then deported on May 7, 1965. Václav Havel points to Ginsberg as an important inspiration in striving for freedom."

This footage was captured at high school Slovanske gymnázium where I taught then. Ginsberg was staying in Olomouc (my hometown in the Czech Republic) for a couple of weeks and I invited him for a show. The classroom was full of students, and it was a big success, amazing event.

It´s 1993, so you can imagine the quality of the material is not good. Anyway, enjoy it. Next parts will follow.

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Entertainment

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• Olomouc
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