Czechs received an award for the best cultural heritage project 2009

Brussels - The restoration exhibitions of the Museum of Art in Olomouc from the years 2004 to 2008 and its accompanying catalogs were awarded in the Europa Nostra competition as one of the best projects of European cultural heritage in 2009. This was announced today by the European Commission. The Czech project is one of 28 international projects that will be ceremoniously awarded in June in Sicily. European restorers consider this award to be the equivalent of the Academy Award for films.
    The goal of these awards, which the EU has been granting since 2004, is to support heritage conservation in the countries of the European Union. Brussels recognizes initiatives in the area of European cultural heritage in various categories, from restoration to the rehabilitation of urban and rural landscapes, the accessibility of archaeological sites, and the care of artistic collections. Various research, educational, and awareness-raising projects can also receive awards.
    Czechs received the award in the research category for the restoration exhibitions and a series of five restoration catalogs from the Museum of Art in Olomouc, which from 2004 to 2008 documented the restoration of significant monuments from the old art fund in Moravia.
    "I am very pleased that our comprehensive and conceptual care for cultural heritage and spiritually oriented visual culture is gaining European recognition with this award," stated the head of the Olomouc museum, Pavel Zatloukal.
    The jury will now select seven main winners from the 28 projects, who can receive up to 10,000 euros (270,000 CZK). The Olomouc project is among the candidates for the main prize.
    This year, Brussels selected projects from a total of 138 applications.