Národopis, památková péče a muzea

Heritage preservation is one of the fields where the results of the ethnological studies may be applied. The professional goals of Czech ethnographers include above all the documentation, but at the same time the care of monuments. It implies systematic field work: research, written as well as photographic documentation, registration, comparative studies. Classification of the detected artifacts of vernacular architecture is only one aspect of the professional ethnographic work in the institutes of heritage preservation. Close cooperation of researchers in those institutes with universities and museums, especially with the regional ones, may be considered as relatively successful. The videos, DVDs and CDs dealing with vernacular architecture technology and with the traditional procedures in the building trade are an extraordinary evidence of this symbiosis. From the point of view of the monument preservation, those films are drawn up as documentary films, however, the individual building operations are demonstrated herein. Screenplays of those films were elaborated with regard to the participation of the museum experts. the synergy of the ethnologists engaged in the monument preservation and the municipal government and state administration with their aim to enhance local or regional tradition cannot be overlooked. Participation inpreservation of a number of objects of vernacular architecture in particular villages enables the contemporary generation to learn about local building traditions, handcraft production, etc. Environment created like this is an ideal starting point for common cultural activities, stimulation of interest in the native place and region, previous generations and their way of life.