On the Mundus Comenii exposition

The new exposition had been prepared since 2017 under the leadership of the Jan Amos Comenius Museum in Uherský Brod. Joining the preparations were also experts from the Czech Academy of Sciences, Moravian Provincial Museum and Dutch partners associated with the Naarden museum. In addition to valuable experiences and knowledge of the local environment, they offered collaboration necessary for the installation of the exposition and for the final touch of some of its parts.

The name “Comenius’ World” can be interpreted on two levels. The exposition presents the world of the Comenius’ times, that is the 17th century, typical for which were overseas discoveries, new inventions and exceptional intellectual production, but also religious and political conflicts which interfered in the lives of the majority of Europeans with immense cruelty. Visitor will thus learn about the thirty years war or the English revolution, but they will also explore more deeply the rift of the church and its implications. Significant is the theme of the republic of scholars, a supra-national and supra-confessional group of scholars, whose member Comenius was. The second level points to Comenius’ world of thought, where the themes of religion, science, education and politics present Comenius as a theologian endorsing reconciliation of the churches, as a scientist and teacher promoting the idea of education for all, and as a tireless fighter for a peaceful solution to every conflict.

Although the exposition offers complete information about the time when Comenius lived and about his work, it leaves a sufficient space for a visitor’s own contemplation and further study.

Since the very beginning the exposition was planned to be trilingual, added to Dutch the texts are also in English and Czech versions. Thanks to convenient project solutions, the exposition offers three levels of tours. Its authors did not omit the principle of the illustrative nature, which Comenius saw as the basis for the cognition of reality. Visitors can also try interactive elements, both visual (an interactive map of the republic of scholars), and mechanical (moving period models of the outer space, school theatre model). In three dioramic vitrines, scenes from the 17th century are shown with replicas of objects (the battle of the White Mountain with armours of thirty years war soldiers).

Finally, it is necessary to add that the Mundus Comenii exposition is liven up by a brand new animated film which welcomes the visitors. On the other hand, they can take home an extensive professional catalogue which they can use as the first source for their further inquiry into the life and work of Jan Amos Comenius.