ICOM Prague 2022 | Home or ‘Heimat’

Home or ‘Heimat’: Identity loss in the Hlučín and Opava regions (Silesian Museum and Museum of Hlučín Region)

Delicacy Folklore History sights Nature

The three historical regions of the Czech Republic, Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, have borders based on complicated geographical and historical divisions which originally split the land into smaller regions, principalities and duchies. These so-called ‘microregions’ were ruled not only by leading Czech dynasties, but sometimes by very important (or less important) noble families. Throughout the centuries, leadership in the microregions was constantly shifting. Often changes of borders and official languages left traces on the souls and spirits of local people, for whom identification with any particular nationality became very difficult, and for whom it continues to be difficult even today.

Some such place are the regions of Opava and Hlučín.

Once called the Principality of Opava, this small area was originally part of Silesia. However, changes between German, Polish and Czech speaking rulers seemed almost never ending. Finally, after World War II, Opava and Hlučín region became part of Czechoslovakia, and today belong to the Czech Republic.

Learn more with us about the history of the area at the Silesian Museum in Opava, the so-called ‘gate to Silesia’ and the oldest public museum in the Czech Republic. Opened in 1814, the museum maintains six exhibition buildings. We will take you for a guided tour to the oldest, most historical one, which contains exhibitions focused on history, botanics, numismatics, mineralogy and many other topics, such as Coptic textiles.

Before arriving in Opava, however, we will pay a visit to the Museum of Hlučín Region with its permanent exhibition focused on the problem of the search for national identity and its loss under the given historical circumstances. Here, a general historical picture is introduced through individual people’s unusual and intriguing stories.

Finally, your tour of this lesser-known area of the Czech Republic would not be complete without a chance to taste the local specialty called ‘koláče,’ a type of a sweet pastry from the Hlučín region.

Recommended for members of: CECA, ICEthics, ICOFOM, ICOMAM, COMCOL, ICR