Prague, Nov 30 (CTK) – Many Czech cultural, academic and professional institutions will join the celebrations of the 700th anniversary of the birth of King of Bohemia and Roman Emperor Charles IV (1316-1378), according to the programme unveiled on Monday.
An international exhibition prepared by the National Gallery (NG) will present a unique selection of exhibits in the sphere of culture and arts from Charles IV’s day, NG director Jiri Fajt said.
The government is likely to sponsor the projects with about 90 million crowns.
The sum has not yet been approved, but it will be lower than the originally proposed up to 250 million crowns.
The government has set aside the money for a Czech-Bavarian exhibition, while the Prague archbishopric finances its programme in its own right.
The logo, unveiled on Monday, is created by a K letter, the 700 number and the years 1316 and 2016. Between them, there is a small star derived from various materials from Charles IV’s era such as the star on a crown from the king’s depiction at a painting and one of the numerous stars on the ceiling of the Saint Cross chapel in Karlstejn, central Bohemia.
The exhibition will present the rare coronation crown of Charles IV from Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen) that will appear for the first time in the Czech Republic.
It will start on May 14, on the anniversary day when Charles IV was born, in Valdstejnska jizdarna (Wallenstein Riding School) in Prague. In autumn, it will move to Nuremberg from there.
The exhibition will also include the programme with heritage from the Charles IV era.
“It will be held primarily on the axis Prague-Nuremberg, but also Aachen or Magdeburg,” Fajt said.
Under Charles IV, Prague gained its well-known form and Charles IV made its residence from it, he added.
“The link is not only symbolic as it also has its real background given by Charles’ historical activities. We want to mainly present him as a Roman Emperor,” Fajt said.
The National Technical Museum is preparing the exhibition Vita Caroli that will unveil Gothic architecture.
When it comes to Prague, the biggest event will be the opening of permanent exhibition Charles IV, Prague and the Luxembourgs, city councillor for culture Jan Wolf has said.
A number of exhibition are also being prepared by the Academy of Sciences, such as the impact of Charles IV’s rule on present-day Czech and European societies.
The National Heritage Institute will stage the Luxembourg Year, the Prague archbishopric will serve solemn masses in the churches established by Charles IV and the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra will play a concert in Saint Vitus Cathedral.
Abroad, Czech centres will mark the anniversary.
