The Bohuslav Martinů Centre

The Bohuslav Martinů Centre was established during a major reconstruction of the museum building in 2009 – the 50^th anniversary of Martinů’s death.  It assumed responsibilities from previous organisation, The Bohuslav Martinů Memorial, while significantly extending its scope. It was founded as a professional and social cultural centre with expanded roles in education, archival curation and research.

The Centre cares for a unique collection of autographs created by one of the greatest Czech composers of the 20^th century. The extensive collection contains sheet music, textual autographs, correspondence, family heirlooms, photographs, scenographic and costume designs, recordings and other material. This unique collection, which includes a musicological library and a phonotheque, is available to researchers as well as to the public after prior arrangement.

“The Colourful World of Bohuslav Martinů” is a permanent exhibition that draws on this rich source of material. It presents the composer’s adventurous life through pictorial material and includes original, personal items that belonged to the Martinů family. One of the rooms was transformed into a classroom set at the turn of the 19^th and 20^th century, when young Bohuslav commenced his compulsory school attendance.

Another important aim of the Bohuslav Martinů Centre is the targeted promotion of activities connected to the composer in his birthplace.

The Centre regularly hosts short-term exhibitions that explore various facets of Martinů’s personality; notable examples include Zrzavý Martinů (2010), My Dearest Charlotte (2013), Today Through Switzerland, Tomorrow in Paris (2017), Martinů Drawing Pictures (2018 and 2024), and Clothes Makes Martinů (2023). In addition to exhibitions, The Centre publishes both popular and scholarly materials. These include a representative 2018 publication of composer’s drawings was titled “Martinů Drawing Pictures” and a 2020 sheet music collection of Martinů’s early songs dedicated to Olga Valoušková.

The Bohuslav Martinů Centre also organises cultural events which contribute to the popularization of the works of this extraordinary composer, who was born in Polička. One of the most significant is Zažít Martinů (Experience Martinů), held in the second half of August to commemorate the anniversary of the composer’s death (28^th August, 1959). The event was envisioned as a weekend family festival with the ambition to offer the widest possible range of activities for all ages. Since its inaugural year in 2023, the goal of this event has been to bring Polička’s most famous citizen closer to the general public.

The Bohuslav Martinů Centre is also part of “Projekt Martinů a Polička” (The Project Martinů and Polička) which aims to improve the presentation and visibility of the composer and his life-long connection to the town.