18 June: The Czech National Trust has officially started!

On 18 June 2014, the Czech National Trust officially launched its activities at a gala evening, held in the wonderful historic environment of the Reform Club in London, with the participation of his Excellency Michael Žantovského, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United Kingdom, and the representatives of the British Parliament, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic, Zdeněk Novák, and a series of important representatives of the international organisations active in the protection of monuments, including the Chairman of the National Trust (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), Sir Simon Jenkins.

Petra Gomersall and Irena Edwards of the Czech National Trust with Greg Hands MP, Patron of the Friends of Czech Heritage

Personal letters expressing their support were received from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, His Excellency Emil Brix, Austria’s Ambassador in London, Director General of the National Trust, Dame Helen Ghosh, President of the International National Trusts Organisation, Professor Simon Molesworth, and many others.

The Czech National Trust builds on the tradition and principles of the largest conservation organisation in Europe, the National Trust. Its aim is the preservation and restoration of cultural and natural heritage in the Czech Republic.

Dr Irena Edwards, Chairman of the Board of the National Trust, said “Our biggest task is to raise the awareness of people about the cultural and natural heritage of our country – but also about local sites, located near where they live – to help restore people’s pride in what our ancestors have created and to maintain this valuable heritage for future generations”. Dr Edwards also stressed the importance of international monuments in the Czech Republic and the Czech National Trust’s intention to fundraise for their recovery both at home and abroad.

Representatives and supporters of the Czech National Trust with Director Eva Žallmannová, Chairman Dr Edwards and Simon Jenkins, Chairman of the National Trust (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

Director Eva Žallmannová introduced a pilot project to those present: the reconstruction of the tomb and Chapel of Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach in Zdislavicích in Kroměříž.  The Trust is planning to reconstruct this special place and provide public access by 2016, the author’s centenary.  Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach is one of the most remarkable personalities of 19th century European literature, whose origin and international importance represent the common cultural heritage of the nations of Central Europe.

The event raised £22,000 (770.000 Kč) which will go towards implementing the pilot project.

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Zuzana Šimonovská with June Taboroff

Director of the Czech National Trust, Eva Žallmannová with HE Michael Žantovského and Dr Edwards

Catherine Leonard, Baroness Kay Andrews and Justin Albert, Director of the National Trust in Wales and Trustee of INTO