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29. 1. 2009 13:51

Unique Exhibition of State Decorations To Open to the Public

Visitors may see classical European decorations.

Throughout February 2009 the Hrzánský Palace not far from the Prague Castle will be open to the public. Beginning on February 3, the palace will be daily exhibiting the highest state honours and decorations from the 27 member countries of the European Union. This unique exhibition is co-organized by the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic with all the EU member states, the Office of the President of the Republic, the National Museum and the Military History Institute and is held under the auspices of the President of the European Council and Czech Premier Mirek Topolánek and Deputy Premier for European Affairs Alexandr Vondra.

The most valuable exhibits include Denmark’s Order of the Elephant, established as early as in the mid-15th century. At present, it is mostly bestowed only on members of the ruling families related to the Danish royal court and to heads of state. To date, the Order has been in the Czech territory only three times, its bearers being astronomer Tycho de Brahe, Field Marshal Karl I Prince Schwarzenberg, and President Tomáš G. Masaryk. After the death of its bearer the Order is returned to Denmark, and that is why it is not represented in collections of orders and distinctions and is virtually never exhibited.
 
The largest collection came from Spain, namely the Order of Isabella the Catholic. That order will be on display in all its classes and in various forms awarded to men and women respectively. A similarly extensive collection was sent by Hungary, the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary in the civic and military group, complete with the so-called miniatures.

Visitors may see such classical European decorations, such as the French Order of the Legion of Honour or Sweden’s Order of the Polar Star, as well as distinctions from the new European countries, such as e.g. the Order of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia. On display will also be distinctions whose continuity was interrupted by the communist era – Poland’s Order of the White Eagle, Latvian Order of Three Stars, Bulgaria’s Order of Saint Cyrill and Methodius or the Order of the Romanian Star.

Entitled “The Beauty of European Orders and Distinctions - Decorations from the EU Member States,“
the exhibition will be open from February 3 to March 1, 2009

Open Daily
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the premises of the Hrzánský Palace in Loretánská Street 9 in Prague 1.

Admission Free
More information is available on a special website at the address:
faleristika.vlada.cz

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