Les relations culturelles franco-tchécoslovaques et la crise de Munich

The french-czechoslovak cultural relations and the Munich crisis In 1938, cultural relations between France and Czechoslovakia are at the height of their strength. Lectures succeed at the Institut Ernest-Denis ; musical connections multiply (design of a representation of Janáček's Jenúfa at the Paris Opera). In May, the eleventh Congress of the « Fédération des Alliances françaises » in Czechoslovakia gives a striking impression to Professor Hauser. The PEN Clubs Congress, held at Prague in late June, features speeches delivered by Prime Minister M. Hodža and Minister of Education E. Franke, who underline the role of literature in the maintenance of the Czech Nation. Jules Romains, chairman of the PEN Clubs, assures the Czechs of the moral solidarity of French intellectuals. In France, the Anschluss rouses in the Intelligentsia contradictory appeals of Louis Aragon, the pacifist Left and the extreme Right. The « Association internationale des écrivains pour la défense de la culture », leaded by Aragon, which groups together Communists and « compagnons de route », energetically défends Czechoslovakia (meetings at Paris 2 June, London 8 June ; extraordinary Conférence at Paris 25 July). The Czechoslovakian writers, members of the Association, issue « Appels à la conscience du monde » before and after Munich. The September Crisis raises up unequivocal positions of French Slavists, but also appeals for peace at any price, emanating especially from the pacifist Left (« Syndical national des instituteurs » ; Alain ; Giono). Many intellectuals blame Munich and propose to award the Nobel Prize of Literature to K. Čapek. In Czechoslovakia, the « Fédération des Alliances françaises » goes through a critical time and her President Vaniček resigns, in spite of justifications of Munich presented by G. Duhamel, President of the Alliance. The French people who assume cultural responsibilities in Czechoslovakia refuse to give in to despair and wish to maintain intellectual intercourse ; the rector of Brno University A. Novak says in January 1939 his confidence in French culture. At a meeting of the « Institut d'études slaves », Jean Marx, who manages the « Service des œuvres françaises à l'étranger », calls for patience with Czechoslovakia and the Paris University addresses a message of solidarity to the Prague University. André Honnorat, chairman of the « Cité universitaire », proposes to create endowments in honor of Masaryk and BeneS. The invasion of March 1939 strikes a fatal blow to the « ligne Descartes », but in May, Fichelle, Director of the French Institute, still considers as « excellente » the moral position of France. In fact, during the Munich Crisis, the French intelligentsia was not united, though Aragon's Association and more and more numerous non communist personalities have condemned the Munich Agreements.Lacaze Yvon. Les relations culturelles franco-tchécoslovaques et la crise de Munich. In: Revue des études slaves, tome 66, fascicule 2, 1994. pp. 381-400