Speaking on the occasion Smt. Katoch said, it is a momentous day for our two countries. The bond that was established in 1959 when a cultural agreement was signed between the two countries has been further strengthened today. She said, the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the ASI and the National Museum of the Czech Republic on the occasion will further promote cultural exchange and bilateral cooperation.
Smt. Katoch said, like Czech Republic, India has a culture of forts and castles and in June this year only 6 hills forts in Rajasthan have received UNESCO’s approval as World Heritage Sites. She said, it is therefore extremely delightful that the Czech Republic has presented an important and attractive part of its national cultural heritage through large images, photographs of castles and stately homes via this exhibition.
To augment the inauguration ceremony at the Red Fort, a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Museum of the Czech Republic and the Archaeological Survey of India was signed during the opening ceremony. The MoU will form the basis for more active cooperation between the two institutes.
Czech Castle architecture is an important part of the cultural heritage of the Czech Republic. The Exhibition presents a selection of 37 most interesting castles and chateaux of Bohemia and Moravia, two of the historic areas that make up the Czech state. The criterion for the selection of the localities has been their historical significance as well as their architectural, artistic, and historical value.
The inauguration ceremony was accompanied by live performance of the Czech classical music group “Spork Quartet”. The exhibition is accompanied by rich cultural program consisting of film shows, art exhibitions, music presentations and other events that will together celebrate the Czech-India Cultural Year 2014.
The Exhibition will stay at the Red Fort, Delhi till January 2014 and then tour various other cities of India. After Delhi, the exhibition will be presented in Leh (Leh Palace, June-July 2014), Kolkata (Currency Building September – October 2014), Mumbai (Nehru Science Centre, November 2014) and Goa –Panaji (Kala Academy, December 2014 – January 2015).
