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Notes for the address by Václav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic, at the opening of the exhibition “Prague – the Crown of Bohemia, 1347 –1437”

English Pages, 20. 9. 2005

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am really pleased to be here today and to have the privililege to open this beautiful exhibition, coorganized by the Prague Castle Administration and Metropolitan Museum in New York. This distinguished group of guests suggests that this is important moment.

This exhibition which puts together the Czech and Central European art from the so called Luxembourg period, is for us one of the most important projects in the field of art exhibitions we have ever done or participated in. It is also – if I am not wrong – the very first exhibition of Czech art here, in this Mecca of arts, in the Metropolitan Museum, and at the same time, the first representative exhibition of the old Czech art on the American continent.

It is the display of the art and culture which was done under the reign of the Luxembourg Kings in the Czech lands. I am aware of the fact that the American audience might not know them. They may not know the names Charles IV. (King of Bohemia and the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire) and the names of his two sons, Wenceslas IV. and Sigismund, but I am sure that many Americans know Prague which was very much influenced by them. I hope that through this exhibition they will get to remember Prague as a treasury of medieval art.

Mentioning repeatedly Prague, it is fair to say that the exhibition represents not only Prague, but the entire Central Europe and it represents it as a quite homogenous entity. It also projects Prague and the reign of the Luxembourgs into the European context.

I believe the exhibition shows as well how Charles IV. and his immediate successors took advantage of fine art in their political plans and how the art in general was influencing the positioning of powers in Europe. At the same time, the exhibition attempts to “rehabilitate” the two sons of Charles IV., who largely remain in his shadow.

The whole 14th century is in some respect in a shadow. 14th Century is traditionally understood as a transition period. The art history studies concentrate mainly on the 13th century – as a period of the construction of big cathedrals – and on the 15th century – as a period of renaissance. I hope this exhibition demonstrates that it was not a transition period, definitely not in arts.

I hope that this exhibition will succeed in the competition with other major cultural events in New York city and that it will become a good ambassador of the Czech Republic here. The cooperation in the form of cultural exchange helps to enhance mutual understanding. I do believe that the cultural heritage of the Czech Republic represents a huge potential, which has not been entirely exploited. This is a good beginning. I am really glad to be here.

Václav Klaus, Metropolitan Museum of Arts, New York, September 20th, 2005