Description
The project aims to protect and preserve Czech cultural heritage by the renovation of late baroque Church of the Virgin Mary Assumption in Konojedy by Úštěk which was founded in 1747 and vastly damaged by the use of Czech Army during the second half of 20th century. In the last 30 years, the church was repeatedly evicted and ransacked. The object of the church is statically corrupted, closed to the public and the interior is badly damaged or missing. The comprehensive restoration includes structural repairs, the repair of facades including the restoration of windows, repair of interior with doors and existing furnishings, repair and replacement of the roof construction and the restoration of the floor. Apart from construction and restoration works, the project increases professional qualification of students from J. E. Purkyně University, which will be as the project partner involved in the expert activities. The project also involves bilateral cooperation with Norwegian partner Jiří Havran, book publisher for architecture and art, who will prepare a popular science publication. The project will also help strengthen the mutual understanding and integration the Roma minority, as the renovated monument will host cultural and social activities. With the involvement of a third partner, the Foundation for Holocaust Victims in cooperation with the Museum of Roma Culture, the monument will be used to present Roma art with the goal of fostering mutual understanding between all groups of citizens.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was preservation and restoration of the late baroque Church of the Virgin Mary Assumption in Konojedy by Úštěk. The church which was built in 18th century was vastly devastated mainly during the second half of the 20th century even though it was declared a cultural monument in 1958. If the project were not implemented, supporting structures of the church would have been gradually fatally destructed and this would have led to a collapse of the church in the near future. The project combined comprehensive renewal of both immovable and movable cultural heritage and included both reconstruction (e.g. roof, floors, walls, windows, facades) and restoration (e.g. wooden benches, stone altars, doors, pulpit). One of the targets was also presentation of this unique baroque monument as part of Czech cultural and historical heritage. The project promoter presents the church by making it accessible to both general and professional public during regular opening hours or cultural events. The project promoter cooperates with the Foundation for Holocaust Victims and the Museum of Roma Culture in organisation of some events with the aim to foster mutual understanding among different groups of citizens. The project also contributes to increasing of the attractiveness of the environment and promotes social and economic growth through expanding, improving and creating new cultural services. Project partnerships were established with Norwegian book publisher for architecture and art (ARFO) and the Czech University of Jan Evangelista Purkyně. The Norwegian partner was responsible for thorough photographical documentation of the church and progress of works. The Czech partner was involved in the research and survey activities. Cooperation on project implementation significantly contributed to increase of professional qualification of the students. All planned targets were met and achieved, and thus will have a lasting impact on the promotion of Czech cultural and historical heritage in Europe.
Summary of bilateral results
The donor project partner, a well-known photographer Mr. Jiři Havran representing the Norwegian book publisher for architecture and art (ARFO), was continuously involved in the project throughout its entire implementation. During his five visits to Konojedy he documented the progress of project implementation in a detailed, time-lapse photographic documentation which captured the changing status of individual monuments and architectural elements during construction and restoration works. He cooperated also on preparation of the photographic publication about the church ant its restoration and was responsible for distribution of the publication to cultural and art organizations, libraries and schools in Norway. Professional photographic work allowed the project promoter to obtain a unique view and high quality documentation of the monument, its details as well as progress of restoration works. On the other hand the donor project partner had the opportunity to gain unique experience with documentation of such extensive reconstruction of the historical monument.