Cultural figures demand withdrawal of Czechia's new cultural strategy

Czechia's Ministry of Culture, led by the Motorists party, unveiled a new State Cultural Policy this summer without any broad public debate — a conceptual document meant to chart the future direction of Czech culture. The move has already drawn opposition from the Association of Independent Theatres, the Nová síť organisation, and the Culture and Creative Federation, an umbrella group of around twenty organisations including the Guild of Translators and the Actors' Association.

The previous version of the strategy was approved only last autumn, under the government of Petr Fiala (ODS). The new document effectively replaces it.

What the complaints are about

Representatives of the cultural sector are calling for the new concept to be rejected outright. According to them, feedback on the document could only be submitted up until yesterday — an exceedingly short deadline. They also argue that the strategy was drafted without transparency and without prior consultation with the professional community.

Critics point out that the new document is considerably shorter and more generic than its predecessor. What has caused particular outrage is that it makes no mention whatsoever of creative and artistic freedom.

The minister's response

Culture Minister Otto Klempíř (Motorists) has rejected the criticism. He says the document is fully in line with the current government's policy statement. The strategy's aim, he argues, is to strengthen cultural life, develop culture's economic potential, and improve the quality of life for people in Czechia. The document also calls for higher wages for artists.

Lenka Havlíková, head of the Association of Independent Theatres and director of Theatre X10, spoke in detail about the cultural community's grievances and the state of independent culture in Czechia in a podcast interview.

Around Prague, based on reporting by seznamzpravy.cz