In May 1965, American Beatnik poet Allen Ginsberg took part in the students’ May Celebrations in Prague “Majales” and was elected “Král Majálesu” (“King of the Majales”). Later, Ginsberg was arrested and expelled from Czechoslovakia for alleged indecent behaviour. On that occasion, Ginsberg wrote the poem “Kral Majales”. The poem was visually arranged by American painter Robert LaVigne. Thus, an impressive artistic work reflecting Ginsberg’s dramatic stay in Prague and documenting an exceptional moment in Czech queer history was created. Only 350 copies of this poem were printed. One of them was purchased for 150 US dollars by the Society for Queer Memory. On the occasion of this acquisition, an exhibition on Ginsberg’s 1965 events was held from January to April 2018 at the Society’s Centre for Queer Memory.
Location
Na Strži 1683/40, 140 00 Praha 4, Czech Republic
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