The National Taiwan Museum is hosting the “Czech Castles & Chateaux Exhibition,” showcasing nearly a hundred precious Czech artifacts from June 13th to November 30th. This exhibition showcases the most fascinating castles and chateaux from the historical regions of Bohemia and Moravia in the Czech Republic, featuring 96 selected items provided by the National Museum of the Czech Republic and the National Heritage Institute of the Czech Republic, including weapons, paintings, jewelry, crowns, clothing, noble tableware, painted porcelain, musical instruments, and more. It aims to lead the audience on an exploration of castle art and culture from the medieval Europe.
The opening ceremony on the 12th was attended by dignitaries such as Minister of Culture Li Yuan, Czech Senate Vice-President Jiři Drahoš, representative from the Czech Economic and Cultural Office David Steinke, Director-General of the National Museum in Prague Michal Lukeš, Director-General of the National Heritage Institute Naděžda Goryczková, Director-General of the European Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Huang Junyao, and Director of the National Palace Museum in Taiwan, Hsiao Tsung-huang.
Minister Li Yuan remarked on his deep impression of the Czech Republic, highlighting the renowned Czech writer Vaclav Havel, the country’s first democratically elected president and also a playwright. He expressed his fondness for the works of author Hrabal, particularly mentioning how Hrabal’s book “Too Loud a Solitude” had influenced his own creativity and inspired many young people and creators.
Minister Li Yuan praised the rich cultural heritage of the Czech Republic, stating that the Ministry of Culture has always aimed to promote Taiwanese culture globally. In 2022, the Ministry facilitated the establishment of sister museums between the National Taiwan Museum and the National Museum of the Czech Republic, continuing a 20-year-old friendship. The Minister looks forward to the National Taiwan Museum’s future exhibitions in the Czech Republic, aiming to introduce Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage to Czech and European friends.
Czech Senate Vice-President Jiři Drahoš expressed the significance of castles as important cultural assets in the Czech Republic, hoping that visitors would personally appreciate them by visiting Czech Republic.
Representative David Steinke from the Czech Economic and Cultural Office equated castles in Czech to temples in Taiwan, symbolizing cultural significance in both countries.
Czech castles were originally defensive dwellings during the medieval period, usually built between the 12th and early 16th centuries, later transformed into comfortable and elaborately decorated chateaux in modern times.
The exhibition features notable Czech castles and chateaux listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Prague, Český Krumlov, and Karlštejn Castle, showcasing their historical, architectural, artistic, and cultural value.
The National Museum of the Czech Republic, established in 1818, is the largest museum in the Czech Republic. The precious exhibits include items from the National Museum collection like the star map “Harmonia Macrocosmica” published in the Netherlands in 1661, considered one of the most beautiful astronomical historical books ever produced.
Other showcased artifacts include foldable fans from the 17th to 19th centuries, made of ivory, metal, and featuring garden parties or family scenes, which were essential accessories for noblewomen in Europe during that period, commonly gifted during engagements and weddings, adorned with romantic scenes and symbols of love.
Additional exhibits feature a 14th to 15th-century Gothic-style brass statue candlestick from Moravia, a German pottery water jug from 1574 depicting the Old Testament Bible themes, a commemorative coin of Emperor Rudolf II from 1577, a German (Nuremberg) breastplate armor from before 1600, a spring wheel pistol from the 16th century, a hawk hood made of leather, velvet, and feathers, and a gunpowder horn made from deer antlers depicting Hercules and lion combat scenes.
Director Michal Lukeš of the National Museum of the Czech Republic emphasized that castles are witnesses to Czech history, with the Czech Republic being renowned as the “land of castles and chateaux,” having the highest density of castles and chateaux, many of which have been remarkably preserved. He hopes that this international exchange exhibition not only showcases Taiwan’s unique historical and cultural heritage to the Taiwanese public but also cordially invites visitors to explore the Czech Republic.
Czech Republic and the National Taiwan Museum established sister museums in 2022. This special exhibition marks the first exchange exhibition between the two sister museums and is one of the projects under the Ministry of Culture’s “Taiwanese Cultural Wave Gathering Plan.” The Director of the National Taiwan Museum, Hong Shih-yu, previewed that the museum will curate an exhibition in Czech Republic by 2027, aiming to initiate more dialogues and connections between Taiwanese and Czech cultures through substantial cooperation and exchanges at the museums.