Strážnice festival crowd boos two Motoristé ministers on consecutive days

The incidents

At the International Folklore Festival in Strážnice, two ministers from the Motoristé party were met with loud jeers on successive days. On Friday, Culture Minister Oto Klempíř took the stage to deliver a speech, but his words were immediately drowned out by booing, whistling, and shouts of "Fuj!" from the crowd. Despite the noise, Klempíř told the audience, "It doesn't matter what you think of me," and promised assertive support for the festival from his ministry. The following day, Foreign Minister Petr Macinka faced an even harsher reception, with the audience chanting "Vypadni!" (Get out) during his appearance, which was linked to the previous day's controversy.

Klempíř blames heat and alcohol

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Klempíř described the environment as "hostile, influenced by alcohol and heat." He wrote:

“Young people from all over the world came to Strážnice to present the best of their folk culture. But the local audience had its own culture. My greeting was accompanied by booing, whistling, vulgarities and hatred.”

He added:

“What good is surrounding yourselves with beautiful costumes, music and dance when you are yourselves captive to boorishness, vulgarity and malice.”

Political undertones and threat

Klempíř hinted at consequences, using the proverb "whose bread you eat, his song you sing" and said he expects institutions funded by his ministry to uphold decency and respect. His predecessor Martin Baxa retorted that it is a joy to be with people in Strážnice, while Klempíř sees his fellow citizens as drunken boors. Motoristé colleague Boris Šťastný went further, suggesting cutting subsidies and staying away entirely.

Weather forces festival adjustments

Temperatures exceeded 37 °C, prompting organisers to cancel the traditional costumed parade and move parts of the programme indoors. Hana Jechová, spokesperson for the National Institute of Folk Culture, said visitors took the heat warnings seriously, carrying water bottles and hats. She noted that attendance was somewhat lower than in previous years and an ambulance was called once each day.

A broader controversy

Klempíř has faced sustained criticism over a proposed law to overhaul public-service media funding, which would scrap licence fees and bring broadcaster budgets under greater state control. The bill was opposed by the opposition and other government ministries. His past collaboration with the communist-era secret police (StB), where he was registered as agent "Olda", has also been a target. MMA promoter Ondřej Novotný recently called him "StB filth" at an awards ceremony, and four members of the Culture Ministry's film committee resigned in protest over the media funding plan.