Brno, 29 August, 2002
Dear Colleagues,
As you may know from the media, a major part of the Czech Republic has
recently been affected by heavy floods. There are serious problems,
especially in Prague, north, south and west Bohemia; towns, villages,
roads have suffered a lot. Although people's lives and homes are now the
prime concern of everybody here, the time is coming to evaluate also the
damage on cultural heritage - historical towns, chateaux, monuments,
museums and collections - the losses are estimated in billions of Czech
crowns.
In Prague, buildings of the National Museum, the National Gallery, the
Jewish Museum, the Kampa Museum and others were flooded; in the
South-Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov, listed in the UNESCO world
heritage, the well-known Egon Schiele Centre was under water.
Nevertheless, there are many more affected cultural heritage
institutions in the country that suffered serious damage: In the Prague
city district of Karlin, the building of "Invalids", housing the
collections of the National technical Museum including the archives of
architecture, history of industry and material of the Army History
Archive, found themselves at the bottom of a three-meters deep lake.
At the Museum of Central Bohemia in Roztoky near Prague, where water was
reaching the second-floor level, interesting and modern exhibitions were
completely destroyed together with the archaeological collection.
Unfortunately, the same fate met the unique conservation workplaces,
which were used by cultural heritage institutions all over the country:
the radiation room (used for rehabilitation of objects infested by
insects, cobalt radioisotope 60Co) and the plasma-chemical conservation
laboratory (developed in the 1990s in cooperation with the National
Museum of Switzerland in Zurich, and using the method of plasma
reduction in treatment of historical and archaeological metal objects).
The town and fortress of Terezin, a national cultural monument,
commemorating WW II and the Holocaust, was completely under water. The
damage caused on the fortress itself, the Museum of the Ghetto, the
National Cemetery and other monuments, all recently renovated, are
immense. Also the Central Storage of the National Museum in Terezin was
flooded.
However, we can proudly announce that with only a few exceptions,
collection items were evacuated in time from exhibitions and storerooms
located in the buildings' lower floors. This was made possible by the
extreme zeal of all museum staff members, who did not spare any effort
to save the collections, often to the detriment of their own homes. We
gratefully acknowledge their work and express our gratitude.
The most serious damage then occurred on the museum buildings - almost
all of them are listed historical monuments, and quite a few of them
will now have to face general renovation. Besides the enormous material
losses on technology (computers, air-conditioning systems, etc.),
equipment and furniture, the thoroughly soaked walls and floors will
seriously influence on the microclimate and subsequently, on the
condition of stored collections. If the buildings are not dried up in
relatively short time, we will be facing a "second flood" for the
collections, due to the extreme humidity in the buildings.
A major problem that appeared immediately after the water left, was how
to save archive material and books kept in museums. Knowing that the
most efficient immediate remedy for paper flooded by water is
deep-freezing, works were directed in that way. A "central depository"
for soaked paper was found in the cooling chambers of Mochov food plant,
and wet archive, museum and library collections, as well as the agenda
of several other offices, have been deposited there. However, we are
aware that simple deep-freezing does not mean safeguarding of the
collections. Now, hundreds of conservators would be needed to dry up and
clean the items, so that to restore them in their original condition of
human memory media.
In this fight, museums stand close to the other cultural heritage
preservation institutions - archives and libraries. Although a lot has
been done in the past years thanks to the international Blue Shield
scheme in order to develop a common methodology for solving emergency
situations, there is still a lot to improve.
We are very touched by the tremendous solidarity within the museum
field. Since the culmination moment of the flood-wave in Prague, there
is a constant flow of offers of professional advice, manpower and
financial contributions for the affected institutions. The Museums and
Galleries Association of the Czech Republic has launched a public
fund-raising campaign to help Czech museums damaged by the flood. The
gathered finances will be distributed by the Association's Senate (upon
recommendation of an expert working group) directly to the museums in
need. The bank account number is 27-7705500277/0100, at Komercni banka
in Prague (designation of payment: constant symbol 0558, variable symbol
9999).
On behalf of the Czech museums, we would like to express our most
sincere thanks to all of you who have manifested your interest, provided
support and offered help. It came very quickly and in large amount, and
we really appreciate it a lot. At the moment, physical help does not
seem to be needed any more. What is urgent, though, is equipment and
money - as already mentioned, hundreds of drier units will be needed to
restore the soaked buildings and to provide for sustainable climate for
collection storage. Later, when the buildings will have been cleaned and
working conditions will be approaching the standards again, we will
definitely need all kind of conservation equipment and material,
professional consultancy, as well as physical help of skilled
conservators.
Most of the museums in the flooded areas strive to re-open their doors
to the public as soon as possible: So do come and support us with your
visit!
Yours sincerely,
Katka Tlachová
Chair of the Czech Committee of ICOM
First estimate of damage caused on cultural institutions in the Czech
Republic
(Press release of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic from 21
August, 2002)
This first estimate is very approximate and deals mainly with cultural
heritage and institutions under the care of the State; private property
could not be estimated yet in most of the cases.
Historical monuments and sites 181.300.000 CZK (6.043.400 EUR)
Museums and galleries:
public 1.411.000.000 CZK (47.040.000
EUR)
private 240.000.000 CZK (8.000.000 EUR)
Libraries:
public 20.220.000 CZK (674.000 EUR)
private 361.515.000 CZK (12.050.500 EUR)
Churches and buildings of the Church:
so far 30.200.000 CZK (1.007.000 EUR)
Theatres: 47.800.000 CZK (1.593.400 EUR)
Music: 26.807.000 CZK (893.600 EUR)
TOTAL: 2. 318.842.000 CZK (77.301.900 EUR)
Survey of museums in the Czech Republic, affected by the catastrophic
floods
of August 2002
Prague
Prague City Gallery
Mickiewiczova 3, Praha 6, 160 00; tel.: +420 2 33321200;
e-mail: [log in to unmask]; <mailto:[log in to unmask];>
<http://www.citygalleryprague.cz/,>
Contact: Dr. Petra Hoftichová, tel. +420 2 33324170
Chateau Troja:
- the garden completely flooded, as well as part of the outdoor
sculptures*and objects located near the lower wall;
- the underground floor of the chateau was under water - there
were the Gallery's storages, but a major part had been evacuated, so
that damage occurred on technical equipment and a small part of the
storage (sculpture collection).
Houses "U kamenného zvonu" and "U prstenu" (Staroměstské Square):
- slightly damaged buildings due to penetration of underwater,
resp. canalisation
- exhibitions in both exhibition buildings had been evacuated in
time, only the installation of Frederico Diaz, which is integral part of
the building "U prstenu", was damaged; damaged workshops and storage
area.
Prague City Museum
Kožná 1/475, Praha 1, 110 00; tel.: +420 2 24223696-8;
e-mail: [log in to unmask];
<mailto:[log in to unmask];> www.muzeumprahy.cz
Director: Dr. Zuzana Strnadová, tel.: +420 2 24235218;
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Main museum building (Poříčí Street):
- the lowest level of cellars has been flooded;
- collection items deposited there had been evacuated in time to
the higher floors of the building.
"Podskalská Customs Office" (Na Výtoni Street):
- this important monument is located in the endangered area and
has been completely flooded;
- the building has been undergoing general refurbishment, so that
there were no exhibitions installed.
The National Gallery
Staroměstské nám. 12, Praha 1, 110 15; tel.: +420 2 24810758;
e-mail: [log in to unmask]; <mailto:[log in to unmask];>
<http://www.ngprague.cz,>
Director General: Prof. Milan Knížák Dr. A.
Buildings of St Agnes Convent and Zbraslav Chateau have been flooded.
For more information, contact the press office of the National Gallery.
The National Museum
Václavské nám. 68, Praha 1, 115 79; tel.: +420 2 24497111;
e-mail: [log in to unmask]; <mailto:[log in to unmask];> <http://www.nm.cz/>
Director General: PhDr. Michal Lukeš
Contact: Lenka Edrová, press office of the National Museum
tel. +420 2 24497376, e-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
"Velkopřevorský" Palace:
- a part of the sheet music archive has been damaged by water, no
other collection items damaged.
Smetana Museum:
- collection items had been evacuated in time, no losses reported.
Liběchov Chateau:
- the building has been flooded up to the second floor level, the
whole complex including the park is totally devastated;
- the recently restored mural painting are damaged by water;
- several heavy pieces of furniture have been damaged, while all
the other Non-European collections were safeguarded in time.
Náprstek Museum:
- the underground floor was flooded, but evacuated in time. No
collection items suffered.
Tyrš Museum of Physical Training and Sports:
- the building is in the flood area, but collection items
suffered.
Central Storage of the Historical Museum in Terezín:
- two buildings in the Old Town centre have been flooded up to the
height of two meters. Approximately 20,000 books of the National Museum
Library have been soaked there;
- the flood further damaged collection items of various type which
were not possible to evacuate in time;
- both buildings have destroyed infrastructure and are seriously
damaged.
National Technical Museum
Kostelní 42, Praha 7, 170 78; tel.: +420 2 20399111;
e-mail: [log in to unmask]; <mailto:[log in to unmask];> <http://www.ntm.cz>
Contact: Ing. Zdeněk Rasl, tel.: +420 605-971573
The "Invalids" building in Praha-Karlín
- store-rooms have been completely flooded, the huge archive of
architecture and the Archive of history of technology and industry;
- measures had been taken to protect the building up to the height
of one meter above the 1890 flood, but water finally rose more that 3
meters above that level;
- the flooded collections include items of electrotechnics,
engineering, chemistry, architecture and construction, metallurgy,
textile production, architecture designs of numerous 19th and 20th
century architects, many personal archives and legacies of prominent
personalities of Czech technology, architecture, industry and science, a
huge collection of photographic negatives and positives dating of
1880-1970, the documentation of the aeronautics archive, etc.
Postal Museum
Vávrův dům, Nové Mlýny 2, Praha 1, 110 00, tel. +420 2 2312006,
e-mail: [log in to unmask], <mailto:[log in to unmask],>
<http://www.cpost.cz,>
Director: Dr. Pavel Čtvrtník, tel. 02/2315595
- the museum building - cellar and ground floor - has been flooded
up to the height of 60 cm;
- in two days, all the endangered collections had been evacuated,
so that no collections suffered, with the exception of engraved and
printing plates for Czechoslovak stamps.
The Jewish Museum
U staré školy 1, Praha 1, 110 01; tel.: +420 2 24266953;
e-mail: [log in to unmask]; <mailto:[log in to unmask];>
<http://www.jewishmuseum.cz/,>
Director: Dr. Leo Pavlát, tel.: 02/21711510
All the collection items in all the building had been evacuated in time.
Main museum building in U Staré školy Street:
- the new technical equipment installed in 2001 was completely
destroyed.
Pinkas Synagogue:
- the recently renovated inscriptions on the walls, commemorating
victims of the Holocaust, were destroyed up to the height of 2 meters.
"Old-New" Synagogue:
- the building has been flooded.
Maisel Synagogue, Klaus Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue:
- water did not directly accede to the buildings, but due to
capillary humidity from the ground the walls have to be rehabilitated.
Plzeň (Pilsen) Region
No serious damage on museums occurred.
Šumava Museum in Sušice - slightly flooded underground floor.
Museum of Western Bohemia in Pilsen - flooded underground floor.
Art Museum of Western Bohemia in Pilsen - increased humidity.
Regional Museum in Klatovy - flooded cellars of folk architecture
buildings in Chanovice, destroyed access road.
South Bohemia Region
Museum of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
Dukelská 1, České Budějovice, 370 51; tel.: +420 38 7311528-9;
e-mail: [log in to unmask]; <mailto:[log in to unmask];>
<http://www.muzeumcb.cz>
Director: Mgr. Pavel Šafr, tel.: +420 38 635 6447
The underground and ground floors were heavily flooded, all the
administration of the museum is destroyed, as well as offices,
conservation workshop and publications storage. The building needs
general refurbishment. Collection items from the exhibition halls were
evacuated in time up to the higher floors.
Prácheň Museum in Písek
Velké nám. 114, Písek, 397 24; tel.: +420 362 801111, 214731, 217161;
e-mail: [log in to unmask]; <mailto:[log in to unmask];>
<http://www.pi.bohem-net.cz/muzeum/,>
Director: Václav Bartoš, tel.: +420 362 213532
Písek municipal electric plant - Museum of town lighting:
- water has completely destroyed the permanent exhibition, but
collection items were safeguarded.
Church of the Holy Trinity:
- water has destroyed the whole interior of the church -
historical door, valuable organ and technical equipment (the museum was
using the church as concert and exhibition hall);
- the unique Renaissance pulpit has been dismantled and evacuated.
Memorial of the town of Protivín:
- heavy rain has damaged the building's roof.
Museum of Middle Otava Region in Strakonice
Hrad I/1, Strakonice, 386 01; tel.: +420 342 321 537;
e-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Director: Dr. Ivana Říhová, tel.: +420 342 23391, +420 603 161 867
- water from Otava river acceded the first and third castle
courtyards;
- store-rooms of archaeology, textile and shoes have been flooded,
as well as storage of exhibition installation material;
- the castle gallery had been evacuated, however, several
graphics and lithographs for commission sale were destroyed together
with installation equipment;
- museum exhibitions and other store-rooms were out of danger.
Central Bohemia Region
City Museum in Kralupy nad Vltavou
Vrchlického 590, Kralupy nad Vltavou, 278 01; tel.: +420 205 723035
Director: PaedDr. Jan Racek, tel.: +420 205 723035
- the museum building is flooded in the underground and ground
floors (technical infrastructure and exhibition of archaeology);
- collection items from the recently opened archaeological
exhibition have been evacuated, but the installation equipment is
destroyed;
- the gallery located on the ground floor has been evacuated;
however, the acquisitions library and ethnographic material store-room
suffered.
Obříství - Lamberk, Bedřich Smetana Memorial
Obříství - Lamberk 12, 277 42
Director: Dr. Miloslava Havlíčková, Regional Museum in Mělník, tel. +420
206 621616
e-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
- water has destroyed installation equipment and technical
infrastructure;
- all collection items have been evacuated.
Museum of Central Bohemia, Roztoky u Prahy
Zámek čp. 1, Roztoky u Prahy, 252 63; tel.: +420 2 20910016, +420 2
20910017;
e-mail: [log in to unmask]; <mailto:[log in to unmask];>
<http://www.muzeum-roztoky.cz,>
Director: Mgr. Eva Balaštíková, tel.: +420 2 20911015
- the buildings (8 in total in the complex of the chateau and
Brauner's mill) were completely drowned in water, the total estimate of
damage is not available yet;
- damage in the specialist library and archive, store-room of folk
furniture;
- permanent exhibitions completely destroyed;
- unique conservation workplaces and laboratories, technical
infrastructure flooded;
- store-rooms located in the attic were preserved safely.
Ústí nad Labem Region
Terezín Memorial, national cultural monument
Principova alej, Terezín, 411 55; tel.: +420 416 782225, 782442, 782131;
e-mail: [log in to unmask];
<http://www.pamatnik-terezin.cz,>
Director: PhDr. Jan Munk, CSc., tel.: +420 416 782225
The large museum complex, including the "Small Fortress", the national
cemetery, the Museum of the Ghetto, the crematorium at the Jewish
cemetery, the columbarium, the central morgue, the former Magdeburg
barracks and the Meeting Centre building - all this has been completely
flooded, and the damage is immense.
Prague, 21 August 2002
Compiled by the secretariat of the Museums and Galleries Association of
the Czech Republic (AMG)
---
Odchozí zpráva neobsahuje viry.
Zkontrolováno antivirovým systémem AVG (http://www.grisoft.cz).
Verze: 6.0.384 / Virová báze: 216 - datum vydání: 21.8.2002
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