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Martyn Bond, a former foreign correspondent specialising in European affairs, spoke about Count Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi, better known on the Continent than in Britain. Few anywhere know that the man whom Hitler damned in Mein Kampf as a ‘cosmopolitan bastard’ travelled on a Czechoslovak diplomatic passport for twenty years between the two W...
A talk by Milan Svoboda from the dining room of the Château of Konopiště on reconstructing a dessert banqueting table, service à la française style, and the culture of dining and table setting in 17th and 18th centuries. A Baroque table with its pomp and monumental decorations boldly reflected the splendour of the surrounding gardens and architectu...
One of the great pioneers of Modern architecture, Adolf Loos, between 1907 and 1932 enriched the architectural environment of Pilsen for affluent Jewish clients. They had in common not only commercial, social and family ties, but also a desire for lavish, impressive interiors which he unquestionably satisfied. Born in Brno in 1870, h...
The City of Salisbury lies in the Avon Valley at the confluence of five rivers. It is a medieval ‘new town’, being founded in 1220 when the construction of the new cathedral commenced. This was finished in a remarkably short time in 1258 and is therefore one of the most complete examples of Early English building in Britain. The tower and soaring s...
A talk by Daniel Low-Beer, a grandson whose surviving relatives never returned to their homeland Before the Munich Agreement and the Nazi horrors descended on Czechoslovakia, Jews were central to the cultural and economic life of Brno. The Low-Beers were industrialists, textile producers, diplomats, movers and shakers, who were building the new rep...
A SPECIAL TOUR OF SOME OF LONDON'S MOST FAMOUS LANDMARKS Please note that this event had to be resheduled as a result of Covid-19 regulations 10.30am, morning: Apsley House and Wellington Arch. 2.30pm Walking tour by Anne-Marie Craven, to include the following: - History of the Royal Parks and the developments within Hyde Park including the Serpent...
Following the deadly scourge of plague in 1679 and the relief of the Turkish Siege in 1683 the Viennese, with improved security, embarked on a great building programme which would provide visible proof of triumphant Catholicism and the Imperial Ideal. Two important Central European architects emerged at this time, Johann Bernard Fischer von Erlach ...
An online lecture by Barbara Peacock, one of the founders of The Friends of Czech Heritage, was held on Thursday 4th March 2021. The Czech lands have a magnificent architectural legacy with one of the densest concentrations of great houses in Europe. This talk explored the development of the great house (zámek) from late mediaeval times through the...
John East of the 20th Century Society gave a fascinating talk about buildings constructed in the Czech and Slovak lands during the 20th century. The wealth of modern buildings dating from the 1920s and 30s in particular, was a revelation and demonstrated the confidence of the young Czechoslovak state as it developed its new identity. Though this pe...
FROM THE VILLAGE TO THE CITY : URBANISATION IN SLOVAKIA On 4th February 2020 Dr. Thomas Lorman of the UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies gave a very interesting talk to The Friends on the historical process of urbanisation in Slovakia. Photograph from left to right: Peter Jamieson, Chairman FOCH; Dr. Thomas Lorman, Central Euro...
