LECTURE: The Awakening of the Czech National Consciousness

The 1905 Baedeker’s guide to Austria-Hungary states in its historical introduction “The endeavours of the Habsburgs assisted by the Jesuits, who were practically all powerful in Bohemia and Moravia, to Germanize the habits and language of their Czech subjects culminated in the establishment of German public elementary schools under Josef II. In opposition to this policy a new Czechish movement has gradually developed since the end of the 18th century…”

This illustrated talk will trace the great cultural and intellectual revival that began in the early years of the 19th century with a key moment being the foundation in 1818 of ‘The Society of the Patriotic Museum in Bohemia’. In the second half of the century the nationalist movement gathered momentum and found its expression in works of art and architecture, literature and music, culminating in the foundation of the new Czecho-Slovak Republic.

Price £15 including a glass of wine.

Our lecturer: Caroline Cannon-Brookes is an art historian, trained at the Courtauld Institute and a former lecturer in the University of Oxford, Department for Continuing Education. She has led many tours to the Czech Republic to which she is a regular visitor.

EVENT ORGANISED WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE EMBASSY OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC
All proceeds raised go towards the care and conservation of Czech heritage

Image © Elis J from Creative Commons Wikimedia