The systematic research into and documentation of vernacular architecture, the beginnings of which could be observed no later than from the time of the preparations for the Czechoslavic Ethnographic Exhibition, developed fully at the beginning of the 1950s. The research followed older research and documentation works carried out by the Czechoslavic Ethnographic Society from its foundation in 1891, it included monographs devoted to selected locations/regions and evolved to a systematic ethnographic inventory during the first half of the 20th century. The architect Jiří Waage took part in the researches in 1953-1962.
Der überwiegende Teil der Auszeichnungen der Volkslieder aus Mähren und Schlesien ist konzentriert in der Brünner Abteilung des Ethnologischen Instituts der Akademie der Wissenschaften der tschechischen Republik. Seit einigen Jahren bemühen wir uns, Information über ähnliche, in Museen und anderen Institutionen aufbewahrte Sammlungen zu gewinnen; diese Aufgabe wird durchgehend gelöst durchs Versenden von Fragebögen. Die auf diese Weise entstehende Datenbank sollte nicht nur den Fachleuten dienen, sondern auch denjenigen, die sich für lokale kulturelle Erscheinungen interessieren und ihre Wiederbelebung unterstützen.
The efforts and results of the research work of the 19th-century personalities who prepared the Czechoslavic Ethnographic Exhibition was continued by other scientists from ethnography and other disciplines dealing with folk culture in the 20th century. Dušan Jurkovič, Zdeněk Wirth and Václav Mencl as well as others were among the most significant experts in the branch of vernacular architecture. Antonín Kurial, a student of Prof. Groha and a university teacher, followed their traces and learned from their results. He succeeded in developing the theories about the documentation of vernacular architecture into a fully- fledged practice. Together with his students at Brno University of Technology, he tried to achieve the best possible way of documentation. After World War II, he started to make an inventory of and to localize more than 1 300 buildings and to survey the selected vernacular buildings from Moravia and Silesia in the measuring scale 1:50 and 1:25. Eastern Moravia, especially the regions of Luhačovské Zálesí and southern Wallachia as well as the villages with timbered architecture in the Vsetín area are abundantly represented in his collection prepared for the Atlas of Vernacular Architecture. The collected documents are published in the form of a printed Catalogue of Vernacular Architecture in particular districts and they are considered to be a unique form of detailed documentation of vernacular buildings in Central Europe.
Models of vernacular architecture are one of the best ways for the documentation of folk buildings. However, it is necessary to be aware of the fact that those models document the buildings visually, while their construction and material are documented only insufficiently. The research on the models showed that the models are made at more quality levels which differ in the fidelity of imitation of a constructional detail or material used. Even though the models will continue to be a suitable means to document vernacular architecture, it is necessary to replenish them with other documentation methods. The future of the models consists primarily in the presentation of folk buildings.
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.
A collection of pointers to teaching and learning materials on linguistics and linguistic tools, including quick starts, how-tos, technical documentation, short teaching modules (2h), and full courses. This resource is collaboratively built by its users.