Joyful Tanks Meet Gay Poet. Commemorating Liberation by ‘America’ in the Age of Global War on Terror

This paper explores cultural memory in U.S.-Czech relations as one of the critical factors influencing the bilateral relationship. It argues that it is possible and indeed desirable to move beyond the dominant post-1989 memory discourse of “America” in Czech context. After an introduction that links cultural memory to international relations, it will explore two different commemorative events relevant for U.S.-Czech ties. The first is the official Liberation Festival celebrating 70 years since the U.S. Army entered West Bohemia at the end of WWII. The event is heavy on military symbolism, celebrating U.S. military strength as well as U.S. role as a savior of weaker European countries. The second event is the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Allen Ginsberg being crowned the King of May during the Majales of 1965, a major student celebration in Prague at that time. This commemorative event highlighted aspects of U.S.-Czech cultural memory that are based on shared values of personal freedom as well as a critical stance towards the governing regime. By comparing and analyzing the two case studies, the conclusion offers new perspectives on potential commemorative activities related to U.S.-Czech ties.