Vit Horejs and his guests will share their memories of Majales, a briefly revived medieval student tradition celebrating spring, mocking professors, elections and officialdom in 1965 Prague, during which Allen Ginsberg, the renowned poet of the Beat Generation, found himself unexpectedly crowned as the King of May. Vit witnessed the event as a bewildered teenager. Archival photos and videos will accompany the presentation. Other witnesses and friends of Allen Ginsberg will contribute their recollections, offering a unique glimpse into this moment in Prague and Allen Ginsberg lore.
In 1965, amidst the belated de-Stalinization movement slowly evolving in Prague, Allen Ginsberg, the renowned poet of the Beat Generation, found himself unexpectedly crowned as the King of May during the Majáles - the recently and briefly revived medieval student tradition celebrating spring, mocking professors, elections and officialdom. (Majales was banned, first by Nazis, then by the Communists.)
However, Allen's reign was short-lived, as the Communist Secret Police swiftly put him on a plane to London just days later. Ever the poet, Allen used the flight time to compose a poignant poem titled Kral Majales' (King of May), reflecting on his experience. This event marked not only a milestone in his life but also in the broader context of the thaw that culminated in the fervor of the Prague Spring in 1968.
Free and open to the public. Suggested donation $10. Seats are limited, on first-come first-served basis. RSVP online through Eventbrite.
About
VIT HOREJS grew up in Prague and escaped from the toxic political climate in 1978. In 1990, he founded the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre (CAMT) with fellow émigrés, using centuries-old Czech puppets discovered at Jan Hus Church in the Heart of the Little Bohemia in Manhattan. A resident artist at La MaMa Theater, Vit translated, wrote, and directed over two dozen plays for CAMT. His film roles included Krojak in Woody Allen's "Don't Drink the Water" and the lead role in Onur Tukel's feature film "Scenes from an Empty Church." He co-produced "Faust on a String," an award-winning documentary. Published works include Twelve Iron Sandals (Prentice‑Hall, 1985), Pig and Bear (MacMillan, 1989), and the lead essay for Czechoslovak-American Puppetry (GOH, 1994). Vit received the international 2018 SVU Award for lifetime achievement in fostering the art of Czech and Slovak puppetry and the 2019 NY ACKER Award at Theater for the New City.
This event is organized by the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences (SVU), New York, with the support of BBLA and in association with GOH Productions. It is part of the Slovak & Czech Heritage Festival II, presented in association with GOH Productions.