ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, September 19, 1996 TAG: 9609190013
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: OLD SALEM, N. C.
SOURCE: KAREN ADAMS
Rare and ancient artifacts from the Czech Republic, lent by the National Museum in Prague, will be on display for the next six months at The Gallery at Old Salem.
``A Thousand Years of Czech Culture,'' which opened Saturday and runs through March 16, 1997, offers visitors a close look at Moravian history. More than 200 articles from the sixth century through the end of World War I illustrate the religion, art and folklore of Moravia and Bohemia, the two main regions of the Czech Republic. Most of the items have never been seen outside their homeland before.
It is the inaugural exhibition for the new gallery.
In the catalogue, President Vclav Havel of the Czech Republic praised the collaboration between the National Museum and Old Salem. He also stressed the importance of ``the fact that in the eighteenth century [what is now] the town of Winston-Salem was founded by members of the Unity of Brethren [Moravian Church], a church whose first adherents once contributed to the spiritual revival in the Czech lands.''
For the next six months there will be a variety of special events related to the exhibition, including musical and theatrical performances, folk dances, lectures on art and history and demonstrations by Czech puppet-makers, ornament-carvers and glass-painters on their crafts.
The exhibition is open daily through March 16 except for Thanksgiving Day, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children 6-16; children 5 and under are free.
Visitors should allow one hour to view the exhibition (and longer to see Old Salem). The Gallery at Old Salem is located in the same building as the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts on Main Street.
For tickets and more information, call (910) 721-7300.
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: A painted wooden bust of St. Wenceslas, 1729. colorby CNBAtelir Paul, courtesy National Museum, Prague