This essay discusses Frank Zappa's 1990 visit to Prague and the public reaction it garnered, alongside the response of US Ambassador Shirley Temple-Black. The author uses this event to explore the broader relationship between the state and national culture. He argues that the Ambassador's admission of not knowing the musician is a positive sign of a healthy distance between official government roles and cultural movements. Drawing a comparison to the separation of church and state, the author advocates for a similar separation of culture from professional politics. He warns that a close bond between these spheres often results in the degradation of culture. The text suggests that the state's involvement in cultural affairs should be minimal, functioning only to maintain order—much like traffic controllers—rather than dictating cultural tastes or preferences. Ultimately, the incident at the airport serves as a political lesson on the importance of cultural autonomy and the necessity of maintaining institutional boundaries in a free society.