Historical Contribution of Rizal-Blumentritt Friendship Continue to Reinforce Philippines-Czech Republic Relations
Among the documents shown during the private exhibition at the Muzeu v Ceskych Budejovicfch (South Bohemian Museum in Ceske Budejovice) on 29 August 2024 in commemoration of the 145th anniversary of the birth of Friedrich Blumentritt, are Left: Original Noli Me Tangere book with Rizal’s inscription to Prof. Blumentritt; Right: the Gold pen, a gift from the people of Pampanga to Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt.
PRAGUE 16 September 2024 - In line with the yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of PH-CZ diplomatic relations, the Philippine Embassy led by Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Menez joined officials of the Muzeu v Geskych Budejovicich on 29 August 2024 in commemorating the 145th anniversary of the birth of Friedrich Blumentritt, son of Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt.
Among the activities organized by Ms. Helena Chrastinova, Museum curator the Muzeu v Geskych Budejovicich is a private exhibition of the Rizal-Blumentritt collection, which include, among others: original correspondence between Dr. Jose Rizal and Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt including a farewell letter written on the eve of Rizal’s execution; inscribed copies of Noli Me Tangere, the El Filibusterismo and Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas; Original La Solidaridad newspaper dated 15 September 1894; Books written by Professor Blumentritt on the Philippines and Dr. Jose Rizal; and the gold pen, a gift from the people of Pampanga to Blumentritt.
According to, Ms. Chrastinova, boxes of Rizal-Blumentritt documents were turned over to the museum by the family of Professor Blumentritt many years ago. A large part of the collection remains uncatalogued including unpublished manuscripts, portraits and paintings which hold significant impact on the Rizal-Blumentritt relationship and the Philippines.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Menez expressed his appreciation for the work of the South Bohemian Museum in Geske Budejovice in preserving the Rizal-Blumentritt collection.
Ambassador Mennez also expressed his hope of collaborating with the Museum for future historical projects in relation to the Rizal-Blumentritt collection.
The event also included visits to the local school where Friedrich Blumentritt taught high school and to the State District Archives in Geske Budejovice.
Among the guests at the event were Dr. Ing. Dagmar Skodova Parmova, Mayor of Geske Budejovice; Mr. Pavel Hroch, Deputy Governor of the South Bohemian region and Mr. Radek Lowy, Mayor of Litomerice; Ms. Alena Rozcova, Deputy Mayor of Litomerice and Mr. Jifi Adamek, Deputy Mayor of Litomerice; Director of Mr. Filip Lysek, South Bohemian Museum in Ceske Budejovice; Mr. Stepan Koluska, Commander, Knights of Rizal Czech Republic and other town officials. END
Dr. Ing. Dagmar Skodova Parmova, Mayor of Ceske Budejovice giving her opening remarks during the 145th anniversary of the birth of Friedrich Blumentritt, son of Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt at the Muzeu v Ceskych Budejovicf ch (South Bohemian Museum in Ceske Budejovice) on 29 August 2024
Mr. Pavel Hroch, Deputy Governor of the South Bohemian region welcoming the audience during the 145th anniversary of the birth of Friedrich Blumentritt, son of Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt at the Muzeu v Ceskych Budejoviclch (South Bohemian Museum in Ceske Budejovice) on 29 August 2024
Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Menez givng his opening remarks during the 145th anniversary of the birth of Friedrich Blumentritt, son of Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt at the Muzeu v Geskych Budejovicch (South Bohemian Museum in Geske Budejovice) on 29 August 2024
Ms. Helena Chrastinova, Museum curator of the Muzeu v Geskych Budejovicf ch gives briefs the audience during the 145th anniversary of the birth of Friedrich Blumentritt, son of Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt at the Muzeu v Geskych Budejovicfch (South Bohemian Museum in Geske Budejovice) on 29 August 2024
Part of the Rizal-Blumentritt collection shown during the private exhibit to commemorate the 145th anniversary of the birth of Friedrich Blumentritt, on at the the Muzeu v Ceskych Budejovicich 29 August 2024 are these books on the Philippines and on Jose Rizal written by Professor Blumentritt 29 August 2024 is the farewell letter written by Rizal to Professor Blumentritt on the eve of his execution.
Standing: PhDr. Daniel Kovar, Director of the Archives ( Right) explains the importance of archiving and PhDr. Vlastani Kolda, ( Left) historian, archivist who presented parts of the Archival Bookbinding Competition Exhibition during the visit to the State District Archives in Geske Budejovice on 29 August 2024 as part of the commemoration of the 145th anniversary of the birth of Friedrich Blumentrit, the son of Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt.
For more information, visit https://www.praguepe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinCzechRepublic/.