Kitsch as Political Glue: Kundera's Legacy in Prague and Beyond

In 1967, Milan Kundera was residing in Prague, just a year prior to the unsuccessful '68 spring. His 1984 work, 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being,' delves into the role of kitsch as fundamental to politics and societal structures. Kundera characterizes kitsch as a transition from authentic feelings to a craving for emotional experiences. He critiques all political systems for their dependence on kitsch, where countries utilize symbols and narratives that provoke superficial sentiment. This idea resonates with historian Eric Hobsbawm's notion of 'invented traditions,' which encompass cultural customs and celebrations. For example, Korčula, Croatia, falsely asserts that Marco Polo was born there to enhance tourism. Kundera contends that while kitsch can foster unity, one should not dwell exclusively in kitsch to avoid a life devoid of meaning.