Exhibitions

28. 5. 2014

Sezimovo Ústí commemorates the 130th year anniversary of the birth of Edvard Beneš

At the villa of former Czechoslovak president Edvard Beneš and his wife in Sezimovo Ústí a commemoration ceremony took place on 28 May 2014 to mark the 130th anniversary of the birth of Edvard Beneš.

 

Together with important guests, the second Czechoslovak president was also commemorated by the head of the Czech Government Office, Pavel Dvořák, and Roman Catholic Cardinal Dominik Duka.

The commemoration at the villa of former president Edvard Beneš and his wife Hana was held today by the Czech Government Office, which manages the building, together with the city of Sezimovo Ústí. After the official part of the programme, the villa was opened for a tour to interested members of the public.

The Government Office will always open the doors of the Beneš Villa to the public during the last week of the month until the end of October of this year.

Dr. Edvard Beneš

Edvard Beneš was born on 28 May 1884 in Kožlany. After studying university in France and Germany, he became an instructor at a business academy in Prague. During the First World War, he actively participated in organising resistance activities. He cooperated closely with Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, and his activities contributed to the establishment of independent Czechoslovakia. In 1935 he became the second president of Czechoslovakia. With his exceptional skills and incredible insight, he managed to fight actively for his country, even when he was forced into exile during the Second World War. He was the main representative of the resistance against the Nazi regime.

The Villa of Edvard Beneš and his wife Hana in Sezimovo Ústí

The Villa of Edvard Beneš and his wife Hana was built in Sezimo Ústí as a summer seat in French stile between 1930 and 1931. The villa was subsequently used as a fully fledged house, where they met with their friends. They also received visits from distinguished guests at the villa, including Karel Čapek and Jan Masaryk. Following the death of Edvard Beneš, his widow Hana resided at the villa until her death. In 1975, the villa was seized by the District National Committee in Tábor, which transferred it to the Office of Government of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. From 2006 to 2009, the villa underwent complete reconstruction to restore its original appearance. The villa is surrounded by an extensive garden, including the graves of former president Beneš and his wife. The location now serves as a representative setting for meetings by members of the Czech cabinet with important negotiating partners.

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