Students renovated the tomb of the director of the grammar school.In his honor they organized a feast

Renovation of the grave of Dr.Kocha is a student project of the Czech Grammar School in České Budějovice, which was financially supported by the South Bohemian Region, and the President of the Governor Dr.Martin Kuba.The research historical activities of Mr. Director Antonín Sekyrka, who tracked down the place of the last rest of M. Koch and his relative Johann Lampl, became an incentive for its opening, thanks to the hard work and helpful help of the Director of the District ArchiveDaniela Kovář.In cooperation with other teachers, the director of Sekyrka motivated some students of the grammar school who tried to find out as much information as possible about Matthias Koch.

One of the initial steps was the necessary "adoption" of the tomb from the school to work to restore the tomb. During the autumn months, several groups of older and younger students participated in the renovation of the tomb. In particular, septimans and tertiary people were actively involved, in the afternoon and in their free time. Above all, it was necessary to get rid of the cemetery bed of old amazing shrubs and weeds, to guide the new ground, plant perennial beds and ornamental trees, and to ensure wet environment for plants through decorative bark. Furthermore, layers of moss were removed from the entire area of ​​the tomb and its surroundings, and there was also restoration in places through the rusted grilles and its repeated painting. Furthermore, two tombstones were restored in Czech and German, because the director Koch controlled both languages. In addition to physical activities, students also devoted themselves to preparing the presentation of the key points of the project in order to acquaint the wider public.

About the dimension and importance of this project was spoken at the grave of Matthias Koch at the beginning of the reverent act of the South Bohemian Governor MUDr. Martin Kuba and Deputy Mayor Ivo Moravec. The re -consecration of the tomb was taken by Father Jan Madar, the priest of the Peter's Order, who was not selected for consecration by accident, because this order was in the past, but is currently focused on educational activities. Subsequently, representatives of the region, the city and the grammar school laid wreaths on the renovated grave of Matthias Koch. Since Matthias Koch was born at the time of the Austrian monarchy, the left part of one of the wreaths was symbolically provided with a yellow -black ribbon, and since he died as a citizen of Czechoslovakia, his right part decorated the tricolor in national colors. The inscriptions in the ribbons in Czech and German expressed gratitude for the fact that even after almost 120 years after the timeless building solution of the grammar school, the school building in Česká Street is still its original purpose: education and education of children and youth.

This was followed by a performance of the school choir led by Mgr.Ester Pitrun.He sang the so -called kaiserhymne.The first stanza in German, the second in Czech.In the end, individual students approached the grave, and each of them laid "our first director" in silence and with gratitude their rose on the tombstone.

The ceremonial program continued on the grounds of the Czech Grammar School, where the guests were acquainted with the preparation and implementation of the whole project.The program was attended by the Governor of the South Bohemian Region Martin Kuba, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Austria.Oliver Christoph Jerney, Deputy of the Parliament of the Czech RepublicJan Zahradník ,,

Guests from Austria and Germany, Deputy Mayor Ivo Moravec, director of Böhmerwaldmuseus in ViennaGernot Peter, Mrs. Alena Popper, who is a witness and victims of Nazi persecution in the Protectorate České Budějovice, teachers, students and friends of the school.

Subsequently, two marble commemorative plaques were unveiled on the ground floor of the school.One was devoted to the legacy of J. A. Comenius, the other Dr.Matthias Koch.The original albums were destroyed in 1923 and returned to their place after 98 years.The author of the commemorative plates is a graduate of the Secondary Art School in Český Krumlov Adéla Müllerová.

Despite the difficult past, it is necessary to realize that we live in an extraordinary time, because today's generation of students no longer solve the disrefiors between the nationals of the war and the endless period of communism.On the contrary, with their enthusiasm and determination, these old wounds can heal.That is why such student projects can openly point to a common past in which many individuals, whether between Czechs or Germans and Austrians, did not look at what one is nationality and what language they speak, but what it can do for the cultivation of the Spirit.And so the renovation of the tomb of this personality and "Budweiser" Dr.Thus, Matthias Koch is also a renovation and deepening the relationship between us and our neighbors, regardless of language or nationality, and teaches us humility and respect for the legacy of our ancestors.Who understands this can become a well of humanity, whose source will never dry!

Antonín Sekyrka, Director of the Czech Grammar School, and his colleagues