Advent tips: A star appeared over Bethlehem and other good news from Svitava

Exhibitions Christmas from the depository and Winter across visual arts WHEN: until January 16 WHERE: Polička Municipal Museum and Gallery

Go back 140 years, to the time when the ancestors of the Palacký Museum Association organized the first exhibitions, right at this Christmas time. Under the Christmas tree, you will find really big gifts - showcases - and in them something for yourself, something for the kitchen, something to play with, a lot for DIYers and from DIYers, books to read and souvenirs of Bohuslav Martinů. The Police Museum has prepared two Christmas exhibitions for this year. The first, entitled CHRISTMAS FROM THE DEPOSITARY, is about donated items, their first life in the home and their second life in a museum and gallery. Not only children will be able to unwrap really big gifts, where they will find books to read, something to wear, something to play with, something for the kitchen, something for DIYers and from DIYers. Looking at the glittering collection of Horácký glass or painted cabinets, the visitor realizes the beauty of handcrafted products. In the detailed calendar of events, you will find out what joys and sorrows have accompanied the museum since its foundation on November 6, 1881. The exhibition is complemented by a photo gallery of the mayors of the association and the directors of the museum, among whom the place of honor belongs to Ing. František Bukáček.

"While our native looks forward to new things at Christmas and, as they say, makes room for them at home, a curator in a museum or gallery waits for someone to present him with old objects. And so he accepts donations and buys collections that document the overall picture of the famous and everyday past of Polička and its surroundings. Our exhibition brings closer the life of the collections in permanent exhibitions as well as at exhibitions or the diverse work of museum workers," says exhibition curator and museum ethnographer Stanislava Cafourková. "At the same time, the museum is commemorating the 140th anniversary of its existence with the exhibition. Our ancestors from the Palacký Museum Association in the 1880s already organized the first exhibitions at Christmas and in the then boys' school, now the museum building. And so we are actually returning to the museum's roots. What has changed over that long time, for example in the large exhibition hall where the installation is located, you can compare directly on the spot thanks to the photos", he adds.

The second exhibition entitled WINTER ACROSS FINE ART is a cross-section of a collection of fine art with the unifying motif of winter. It is divided into three parts, namely the Holy Family in the works of the old masters, Landscapers of the Highlands and Modern Art. "The theme of winter is very typical for the painting of the Highlands. The academic painters have done a masterful job of depicting the corners of the local landscape and countryside. In countless shades, they captured the harsh local landscape under blankets of frozen snow, or during the popular spring thaw. One of the valuable exhibits of the exhibition is an impressive picture of the Holy Family called The Adoration of the Shepherds, on which you can admire the play of light and shadows typical of Baroque painting. Some of the exhibited paintings are familiar to visitors from the permanent exhibition in the city gallery, while many, on the other hand, see the light of day only occasionally at exhibitions," says museum art historian David Junek.

The entrance fee is a combination of the exhibitions Christmas from the depository and Winter across visual arts: adults CZK 80; children, students, pensioners CZK 40; family entrance fee 160 CZK.

Bethlehem in the church WHEN: December 27 and 28 WHERE: Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross, Litomyšl

The glass Nativity scene by Jiří Pačinek is installed in the Piaristic Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross in Litomyšl, where it will be presented as part of the nativity scene exhibition (opening on Saturday from 3 p.m.). It was created during Advent last year and is loosely inspired by the wooden votive nativity scene of the Kunratic Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Kunrat parishioners bought it from Tyrol in 1918 and you can view it in the Crystal Church until the end of this year. But there will also be other nativity scenes - made of all kinds of materials - paper, ceramics, rust, glass - in the beautiful surroundings of the Piarist temple. Admission is voluntary.

Svojanov Castle and the magic of Christmas WHEN: until December 19 on weekends WHERE: Svojanov u Polička

Svojanov Castle will be covered in Christmas magic, Advent tours will be prepared for visitors, from November 27 to December 19 - the castle will always be open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year, visitors will visit the Gothic premises of the castle, which will be decorated with traditional Advent and Christmas decorations. In addition, the tours will be accompanied by a talk about the Christmas customs of the time.

A star rose above Bethlehem WHEN: from November 28 to January 16 WHERE: Svitavy City Museum and Gallery

In 1223, Saint Francis of Assisi built the first nativity scene, establishing a tradition that continues to this day. It is also followed by the Svitavy museum, which at the same time reminds that Svitavy was called the city of nativity scenes in the past. Therefore, on the first Sunday of Advent, i.e. 28 November 2021, the traditional exhibition A star rose above Bethlehem will be opened, which offers the story of Bethlehem in many forms. This year, the core of the entire exhibition will be the collection of Martin and Jakub Sochor, who collect historical nativity scenes and also carve their own. Father and son Sochor are even holders of the Master of Traditional Handicrafts of the Hradec Králové Region award. The family collection began to be built by Bohuslav Sochor, who exhibited nativity scenes every year in his house in Dvůr Králové nad Labem. The collection also includes the work of carver Jan Merta from Hradec Králové. The grandson of Bohuslav Sochor and Jan Merta, Jakub Sochor, was surrounded by nativity scenes from childhood, watching their construction at grandfather Bohuslav's and grandfather Jan's work carving figurines every year. He created several nativity scenes himself and later asked his father, Martin Sochor, if he would help him set the figurines in motion. They have created several moving nativity scenes and are both working on other non-mechanical nativity scenes as well. At the exhibition Nad Betlém, a star has come out, you can look forward to, for example, the Novopacky nativity scene from the end of the 19th century, several rabbit nativity scenes, Ore Mountains Christmas pyramids, mechanical, straw, pewter, glass, ceramic, porcelain or paper nativity scenes. Curiosities such as nativity scenes placed in a walnut and hazelnut shell or a nativity scene carved into a cherry stone will also be on display. Part of the exhibition will be devoted to wooden mechanisms that interested parties can move with a loop, or so-called pegs, which demonstrate the principle of operation of movable nativity scenes in a simple way. The collection of the Sochor family will be complemented by a four-meter nativity scene by the Perec carver Jiří Brunclík, a similarly extensive collection by Jaroslav Škrance from Rohozná and some others from the museum's collection. The museum is open: TUES - FRI 9am - 12pm and 1pm - 5pm; SAT - SUN 1-5 p.m.

Betlemská herna WHEN: from November 28 WHERE: Litomyšl Regional Museum

Do you know how to properly build a nativity scene? Which side of the manger does Mary usually stand on and which side does Joseph stand on? Who are the donors, how many kings are there and from which side do they come to Jesus? If you are not sure, the Regional Museum in Litomyšl will have a plinth, valleys, individual figures and procedures for building a nativity scene just for you during the Advent and Christmas season. For small visitors, a simple worksheet will be prepared, folk customs will be tested, and Nativity figures will be created creatively. In paper form, the nativity scene is ready for purchase at the museum's ticket office.

Pardubice

Christmas at the castle WHEN: from November 28 WHERE: Pardubice Castle

The Christmas tree will light up in the large courtyard of the Pardubice castle, and visitors will be treated to photo booths in the form of historical Christmas postcards. For children, the East Bohemian Museum in Pardubice has prepared Jesus' journey - a journey with tasks during which participants will learn who carries gifts in other parts of the world. A second tree will be lit in the small courtyard - the children can decorate it themselves if they bring home an ornament made by themselves. "Our plans for Advent were originally more extensive. We have limited or canceled part of the program, but even so, there will hopefully be enough activities that we can organize while observing the current measures," stated the director of the East Bohemian Museum in Pardubice, Tomáš Libánek. "However, we ask visitors to follow our website or social networks, where we publish up-to-date information," pointed out Libánek.

They tell things

The Christmas corner with an example of traditions and decorations that were common in the 1950s expanded the exhibition Things Tell - 140 Years of the Pardubice Museum. "In addition to the decorated tree and holiday board, like our grandmothers and grandfathers used to have, we also exhibited two nativity scenes by Jiří Knapovský from Orlickoustský - Christmas and Epiphany," revealed the director. The Things They Tell exhibition, which runs until the end of the year, will also host Christmas workshops for children and their parents. They will be held on December 11 and 15 from 2 to 5 p.m.

On Sundays, it rained until the evening

On Advent Sundays, the museum will extend the opening hours of the castle ramparts. If there is no frost, they will remain open until six o'clock in the evening. Other days they close at four o'clock.

Christmas Eve museum night

On Christmas Eve, the gates of the museum should traditionally be opened at half past ten and visitors should have the opportunity to see the chapel of the Three Kings, the historical exhibition Pardubice – the story of the city, the exhibitions Things Tell and Life in Eternal Darkness and climb the castle tower for free. It will be open until midnight.

Sweet Christmas is cancelled, but visitors will get a "gift"

Dec. 4th was also supposed to be decorated with Sweet Christmas at the castle. "Unfortunately, the current anti-epidemic measures do not allow us to organize the event. We are very sorry for this and we have decided to compensate the visitors at least partially - on Saturday, December 4, admission to the exhibition Things Tell and its Christmas corner will be free," announced the director.

Changes to the opening hours of the museum on public holidays: 25 December 2021 – open from 1pm to 6pm; 26/12/2021 – open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 31/12/2021 – open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 1/1/2021 – open from 1 to 6 p.m

Exhibition of Czech tradition from autumn to winter WHEN: until December 31 WHERE: Mázhaus, Pardubice

In the underground under the Mázhaus exhibition space on Pernštýnské náměstí in Pardubice, you will find an exhibition called "Czech traditions from autumn to winter, ... even the devil will do". As the name suggests, young and old visitors will be reminded of Czech autumn and winter traditions. An imaginary journey through customs and traditions begins with the flying of kites, followed by All Souls' Day, autumn lighting, pickled sauerkraut and other delicacies. The arrival of winter traditions heralds the arrival of St. Martin, continues St. Santa with devils, also winter fun and Christmas dinner. At the end, hell is prepared with a list of sins. The Mázhaus exhibition space is open to the general public from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The single entrance fee is CZK 40.

Advent with the smell of gingerbread WHEN: November 28 - December 23 WHERE: Pardubice

The residents and visitors of Pardubice can look forward to Advent with the smell of gingerbread. This year, the unmistakable aroma of this delicious pastry, which is inextricably linked to the city, will waft from gingerbread makers, confectioners, bakers and cafés from the first Advent Sunday. It will be possible to go to local pastry shops and cafes to taste gingerbread specialties throughout the run-up to Christmas. The menu will include rye gingerbread, gingerbread cheesecake, rum gingerbread and many other gingerbread desserts, and drinks include coffee and hot chocolate with gingerbread spices or gingerbread liqueur. The Pardubice Info Center launched a new website this year, where all participating cafes will be marked and where it will also be possible to learn something about the history of this sweet, fragrant pastry. You can also recognize all participating cafes by the sign "Advent with the smell of gingerbread" pasted on the entrance doors of the establishments. You can find more information at www.ipardubice.cz or at www.adventsvuniperniku.cz.

Christmas trolleybus in the streets of Pardubice WHEN: from November 26 WHERE: Pardubice

For the third time, a Christmas-lit trolleybus is coming to the streets of Pardubice, becoming a traditional part of the city's Christmas decorations. The deployment of this vehicle was timed by the transport company with the lighting of Christmas trees in individual districts. It will gradually run on all trolleybus lines as a regular connection. Passengers can find information about the operation of the Christmas trolleybus on the Facebook of the transport company. You can ride up to the Three Kings.

Chrudim region

Christmas at Veselý Kopec WHEN: November 27 – December 5 WHERE: Veselý Kopec

On Saturday, November 27, the Vysočina Nature Museum will start the Christmas on Veselé Kopec program. Ceremonially decorated log cabins will bring you closer to the traditional customs of the winter period from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. Visitors will learn, for example, what a treat for spinners looked like, what gifts children could find in the Santa Claus allotment one hundred and twenty years ago, but also what could not be missing from the Christmas Eve table and what children were most looking forward to in the past. In view of the prevailing situation, the museum had to drop the demonstration of the production of Christmas items in the objects from this year's accompanying program. On weekends, the atmosphere will be enhanced by musical performances. The Christmas exhibition on Veselé Kopec will be open until December 5 daily (even on Monday November 30) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Exhibition Christmas in the world WHEN: until January 19 WHERE: Regional Museum Chrudim

For this year's Christmas season, the Regional Museum in Chrudim has prepared an exhibition for visitors called Christmas in the World. At the exhibition, you will get to know how people in more than 30 countries around the world celebrate the Christmas holidays. You will find out what customs they follow, who brings them presents and other interesting facts about the characters connected with Christmas. Not only for children, there are cheerful scenes with characters carrying gifts in different parts of the world at Christmas. At the exhibition you will also discover a number of nativity scenes, mainly from Latin America, Africa and Europe. These unusual foreign nativity scenes are on loan from collectors Jindra Buksová and Jarmila Haldová. Nativity scenes from Africa - Uganda, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Madagascar - and mainly ceramic nativity scenes from Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and other countries will certainly surprise you with their design and exoticism. The biblical stories in these nativity scenes are adapted to local life and customs. However, European countries are also represented. In the vestibule of the museum building, you will find a large nativity scene with dolls in the costumes of European nations, made by Blanka Kampová. In addition to the atmosphere of a foreign Christmas, you will also be able to be inspired by recipes for non-traditional holiday dishes. The Christmas in the World exhibition will last until January 9. The museum is open every day except Monday from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 12:30 to 17:00.

Christmas in Bethlehem WHEN: from December 8 to January 2 WHERE: Hlinsko

You can see the illuminated log cabins with a Christmas atmosphere in the historic site Betlém in Hlinsko. The Nativity Scene exhibition will be open from December 8 to January 2. You can look forward to Christmas-decorated log cabins and nativity scenes by folk artists. There is a mechanical nativity scene with figures of various craftsmen, an interesting passion nativity scene or nativity scenes made of straw, paper and dough. Until December 23, it is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Opening hours of the Bethlehem conservation area during the Christmas exhibition: until December 23: Tue–Sun from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; 24-25 December: CLOSED; December 26: from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; December 27: CLOSED; 28-30 December: Tue–Thu from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; December 31: Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; January 1: CLOSED; January 2: not from 13.00 to 16.00 hours, lunch break always from 12.00 to 12.30 hours

Angel Christmas WHEN: until December 12 WHERE: Heřmanův Městec

The local group KDU-ČSL Heřmanův Městec, in cooperation with the city organization SPOKUL HM, is organizing the 16th exhibition of nativity scenes called "Angel's Christmas" in the Jewish semi-detached house in Heřmanův Městec. It will be opened with an opening on Saturday, November 27 at 2 p.m. It will last until December 12 and will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.