One of the main topics of discussion was the commitment of all participants to contribute to the long-term preservation and accessibility of their collections, with particular emphasis placed on the digitization process.
On March 3, 2026, Tomáš Foltýn, Director General of the National Library of the Czech Republic, and other senior library officials warmly welcomed representatives of the House of Lobkowicz—William E. Lobkowicz and his wife Alexandra Lobkowicz—at the Klementinum. Although this was not the first contact between the two institutions—the Lobkowiczes had loaned a rare item from their collections for the Kosmas 900 exhibition last year—the in-person meeting at the National Library’s headquarters was of exceptional significance.
The meeting can be described as open and collaborative, inspiring, and full of ideas for potential future collaboration. One of the main topics of discussion was the commitment of all participants to contribute to the long-term preservation and accessibility of their collections, with particular emphasis placed on the digitization process and opportunities for future collaboration in the conservation and restoration of historical documents. An important part of the dialogue focused on supporting educational activities in these areas and opportunities for collaboration regarding lecturer stays and interns' visit at both organizations.
The research laboratories dedicated to the preservation of collections also attracted particular attention - Mr. and Mrs. Lobkowicz were especially interested in their professional standards and technological infrastructure, including the international impact of their research findings. Discussions also took place regarding potential deeper cooperation in the area of utilizing music collections, where William E. Lobkowicz and Alexandra Lobkowicz described their activities related to the presentation of Antonín Dvořák’s birthplace in Nelahozeves, and the National Library of the Czech Republic highlighted the broad spectrum of its professional activities in the areas of research, acquisition, and presentation of the legacy of this world-renowned musical genius.
The meeting also yielded a clear shared vision aimed at organizing a broader creative gathering of teams from the National Library of the Czech Republic and the House of Lobkowicz, which would focus on further joint activities, exhibition projects, and educational initiatives, including continued collaboration to raise awareness of Antonín Dvořák’s legacy among today’s generations. This working meeting could take place at the Lobkowicz Palace, which would symbolically underscore the connection between the historical tradition of the Lobkowicz family and the professional and technological resources of the National Library of the Czech Republic.
