The National Taiwan Museum (NTM) is presenting a new special exhibition “Czech Castles & Chateaux.” The exhibition opens from 13 June to 30 November. Not only the medieval castles and chateaux in Bohemia and Moravia, two historic areas in the Czech Republic, are introduced, but 96 selected artifacts from the collection of the Národní Museum and the National Heritage Institute (Národní památkový ústav, NPÚ) are displayed, including weapons, paintings, jewels, crowns, attire, royal tableware, painted ceramics, musical instruments, to name but a few. Visitors to the museum can explore the medieval art and culture of the castles and chateaux in Europe.
The officials and guests that attended the opening ceremony of the special exhibition were Minister of Culture Li Yuan, Department of European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Director General Eric Huang, Czech Republic Senate First Vice-President Jiři Drahoš, Czech Economic and Cultural Office Representative David Steinke, Národní Muzeum General Director Michal Lukeš, National Heritage Institute General Director Naděžda Goryczková, and National Palace Museum Director Hsiao Tsung-Huang.
Li said he was impressed with the Czech Republic. The country’s first elected president Václav Havel was a writer and playwright, so Li emphasized a person like him could become a president in the Czech Republic. He added that Bohumil Hrabal was his favorite writer, whose book Too Loud a Solitude influenced many young people and writers like him.
The Czech Republic abounds in cultural treasures, making people attached to it. The Ministry of Culture (MOC) has been committed to promoting Taiwanese culture in the international community. In 2022, the NTM established a partnership with the Národní Museum, marking a milestone in the collaboration of the two museums 20 years before. Li expected that by holding special exhibitions, Taiwan’s rich culture would be introduced to the Czech Republic and other European countries in the future.
Drahoš said in his speech that castles are an integral part of Czech culture, adding that everyone could take a field trip to the Czech Republic and appreciate them up close and personal after visiting the special exhibition. According to Steinke, castles to the Czech Republic as temples to Taiwan, just as Formosan blue magpies and tea eggs are unique to Taiwan.
Czech castles used to function as defensive residences typically built from the 12th century to the early 16th century. In modern times, they have been refurbished into cozy and palatially decorated chateaux. The exhibition features UNESCO world heritage sites including the Prague Castle, the Český Krumlov Castle, and the Telč Chateau. Moreover, tentative world heritage sites such as the Karlštejn Castle, the Křivoklát Castle, and the Castle Jindřichův Hradec are also introduced, along with other romantic, striking castles and splendid modern palaces. These castles and chateaux boast not only their historical significance but their architectural and artistic value as well.
Established in 1818, the Národní Museum is the largest museum in the Czech Republic. The exhibition also shows the collection of the Národní Museum. One of them is the Harmonia Macrocosmica, which was published in Holland in 1661 and was one of the most important astronomical writings in 17th-century Europe. Another is the 1686 edition of the Missale Romanum. It was a major book used for the celebration of Mass and promulgated by the Council of Trent. The book jacket is made of wood plates covered with embossed leather, with gold-plated corner protectors and closures. The publication also includes three full-page coated illustrations.
In addition, on display are a host of hand fans on which scenes of courtyard parties and family gatherings are painted. They are made of materials like ivory or metal, or in colored print. Hand fans were one of the indispensable accessories for European noblewomen during the 17th to 19th century. They were not only used for cooling down, but for decorative and sociable purposes. Moreover, the fans with romantic scenes and love symbols on them were popular gifts at engagements and weddings. Other exhibits are statue Gothic candlesticks in 14th-to-15th-century Moravia, Siegburg stoneware jugs themed the Old Testament in 1574, commemorative coins featuring a portrait of Rudolf II in 1577, Nürnberg light plate chestpieces before the 17th century, 16th-century wheellock pistols, eagle hoods made of leather, silk, and feathers, antler-made gunpowder flasks with scenes of Hercules fighting the Nemean lion carved on them.
Lukešsaid that castles witness Czech history. The Czech Republic is hailed as the “Nation of Castles and Chateaux” not just because it ranks number one in terms of the distribution of castles and chateaux. What is worth mentioning is that they are mostly well-preserved. He hoped that this special exhibition could allow Taiwanese people to know more about the historical and cultural uniqueness of the Czech Republic, and welcomed Taiwanese people to his country.
The NTM’s partnership with the Národní Museum started in 2022. This special exhibition is the first international exchange and part of the promotion goals in MOC’s 1 plus 4－T-content plan. According to NTM Director Hung Shih-Yu, they will organize a special exhibition in the Czech Republic by 2027 in anticipation of more cultural collaboration and conversation between the two countries.
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Translator: 陳琪徨／NTU-Graduate Program of Translation and Interpretation (NTU GPTI)
Editor: Phaedra Fang/ National Taiwan Museum