In the atrium of CTU Faculty of Civil Engineering, visitors will be able to try their hand at planing, chiselling, casting, folding, mixing or kneading in eleven craft mini-workshops. "Everything will take place under the supervision of professionals who are actively involved in the craft and restoration of monuments. For example, there will be experts specialising in the restoration of wooden parts of buildings - joiners, carpenters, parquet makers or specialists in moulding, with whom it will be possible to try out the crafts. Woodworking is also linked to the fascinating production of casein paints, varnishes and sealants. It will also be possible to delve into the specifics of lime technology, plastering, plaster casting, stonework or clay technology. An interesting feature is the restoration of glass and ceramic mosaics. We want visitors to be able not only to see a number of demonstrations, listen to the advice of experts, but also to get involved themselves. The physical experience with the material surpasses all lectures and expert articles many times over. That is why we gave the subtitle of the Craft Day the title Come and get dirty," explains doc. Klára Kroftová from the Department of Architecture at Faculty of Civil Engineering, who is the co-organiser of the event.
"Various renovations and repairs are unforgettable in the restoration of historic buildings, whether it is surface finishes, carpentry and joinery components of buildings, stone elements, floors and more. These craftsmanship skills inherited from our ancestors are an integral part of our cultural heritage and need to be preserved for future generations, and this event contributes to that," adds Mgr. Kateřina Samojská from the National Heritage Institute, which is the second co-organizer of the event.
The Day of Crafts also fits in with the teaching at CTU Faculty of Civil Engineering, specifically with programmes focused on historical buildings and their restoration. Students have the opportunity to experience crafts that they often know only theoretically from teaching materials. In addition, this year's event should result in new teaching materials, which are still missing in some areas. "We want to lead future architects, designers and conservationists to more erudite restoration of historical buildings, not only in terms of respect for the old elements, but also in terms of the possibilities of their restoration and experience with the difficulty of using the technology," explains doc. Klára Kroftová.
The exhibition in the atrium will also include a selection of books dealing with the restoration of historic buildings and traditional crafts.
Craft Day with the subtitle Come and get dirty will take place on Thursday 24 October from 9.00 to 15.00 at CTU Faculty of Civil Engineering at Prague Dejvice, Thákurova 7 street. The event is intended for the professional and general public. Entrance is free of charge.
