...beauty is a world betrayed. The only way we can encounter it is if its persecutors have overlooked it somewere. Beauty hides behind the scenes of the May Day parade. If we want to find it, we must demolish the scenery.
The quote reflects the notion that beauty is often obscured by societal events and distractions, symbolized by the May Day parade. Kundera suggests that beauty can be elusive and is frequently overlooked by those who are focused on surface-level appearances. It implies that the pursuit of genuine beauty requires us to look beyond the chaos and reveal layers that lie beneath the surface.
Furthermore, the idea of demolishing the scenery highlights the need to dismantle societal constructs and expectations to uncover true beauty. Kundera encourages a deeper exploration and a rejection of superficiality, suggesting that only through such effort can we appreciate the authentic beauty that exists away from the spotlight of public spectacles.
