Goebbels’ visit to Prague was a tragedy for Czech artists
It is no secret that Hitler surrounded himself with monsters similar to himself. Hess, Heydrich, Himmler, Göring and last but not least, of course, Goebbels. He was the one behind Hitler’s rhetoric and the propaganda of all Nazism. This “lame goblin,” as he is sometimes called, was full of intellect rather than military success, so it is no wonder that he chose the path of demagogue and would-be cultural expert. His visit to Prague also revolved around art.
Goebbels had suffered from right leg problems since childhood, had a shorter leg due to health problems, and despite all efforts to hide this defect, he limped. In addition, he measured only 165 centimeters and was relatively thin. Among his peers, he experienced only enemies and ridicule. When during the First World War he could not even enter military service, as if it definitely signed Ortel over his future.
He studied literature and philosophy, and even obtained a doctorate. When Hitler invited him into his “inner circle”, he seized the opportunity and, in addition to the ministry’s propaganda, took culture under his wing. He organized a public burning of books, through his person no work came into circulation that did not meet his demands and the Nazi spirit of the time.
When he went to Prague on November 5, 1940, he preferred to pursue cultural duties rather than state duties. Although he met with President Emil Hácha and Protector Konstantin von Neurath, he spent more time having fun. Vlasta Burian or the conductor of the National Theater Václav Talich also paid dearly for the forced meeting with him later.
And, of course, Lída Baarová, who had known him intimately since 1936. However, her acquaintance was by no means forced, but rather the opposite – because of Goebbels’ wife, the Czech actress was “cleaned” in the Zbraslav chateau in 1940 to avoid meeting Goebbels. The disappointed Nazi chief drank on the evening of the last day of his visit until the morning and took home at least an opera singer as a consolation prize.