Hungary Honors Writer Milan Kundera
Renowned Czech-French writer Milan Kundera has passed away at the age of 94. The news was confirmed by Anna Márazková, a spokeswoman for the Moravian Provincial Library in Brno, where Kundera’s works are stored. Kundera’s wife, Vera Kundera, informed the public of his death after a long illness.
Milan Kundera was born in Brno, southern Moravia, in 1929. He gained international recognition primarily for his novel “The Unbearable Lightness of Being,” which was published in the 1960s and translated into 44 languages. His 1967 novel, “The Joke,” was also well-known and was even adapted into a film. However, his criticism of the cult of personality in Czechoslovakia led to his expulsion from the party, loss of his university position, and a ban on his books.
In 1975, Kundera emigrated to France after actively supporting the reform process known as the Prague Spring. He had conflicts with the Czechoslovak communist authorities and was stripped of his Czechoslovak citizenship in 1979. It was only in 2019 that he regained his citizenship.
The Milan Kundera Library, located within the Moravian Provincial Library, contains over 3,000 books in 44 languages, as well as a substantial part of his personal archive and correspondence. In 2020, Kundera donated his books and other documents to the library in his hometown of Brno.
Balázs Orbán, Political Director of the Prime Minister, expressed his thoughts on Milan Kundera’s views on Central Europe. According to Orbán, Kundera believed that Central Europeans have something unique to offer the world. He emphasized the importance of preserving their culture and identity amidst integration efforts.
Tamás Fabinyi, the bishop of the Hungarian Lutheran Church, shared a quote from Kundera’s novel “Slowness” on his Facebook page. The quote reflects on the disappearance of the joy of slowness and the longing for a simpler and more connected way of life.
Many others also paid tribute to Milan Kundera, recognizing his significant contribution to Central European literature. Zsolt Gréczy, an opposition politician from the Democratic Coalition, described Kundera as an essential figure in the region’s literary landscape.
Milan Kundera’s passing marks the end of an era for literature and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and individuality in an ever-changing world. His works will continue to inspire and resonate with readers worldwide.
