Sustainability and civilization exhibition highlights contributions of Olomouc scientists
The traveling exhibition Sustainability and Civilization, the third in a series of author exhibitions by the Egyptologist Miroslav Bárta organized by Medialogue, was officially opened today at Olomouc’s Dolní náměstí. Researchers from the Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN), Palacký University Olomouc, contributed to its preparation and made it possible to host the event in Olomouc. The exhibition is held in partnership with the City of Olomouc and will run until 4 September. Thanks to solar-powered lighting, visitors can also enjoy it in the evening hours.
According to its authors, sustainable development and the future of our children are among the most pressing issues of today. The exhibition goes beyond recycling, eco-friendly materials, climate change, or food waste. It also highlights water and water management as fundamental challenges.“The idea of sustainability in this exhibition represents above all a vision of how the world—and each of us—can function, guiding us toward a cleaner and more sustainable future. Ours is the first civilization that is global in terms of the movement of capital, information, and goods. Our problems are global too. To succeed and achieve sustainable ways of living, we need a vision and the cooperation of us all,” said the curator Miroslav Bárta.
The exhibition builds on the earlier projects Water and Civilization and Energy and Civilization. The proven author duo, Miroslav Bárta and Marek Novák, was joined this time by researchers from Charles University, CATRIN, and other experts. For the Olomouc edition, the original 40 topics have been expanded with additional panels presenting CATRIN’s research—for example, in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy harvesting and storage, and innovative technologies for environmental protection, including water purification.
“Science helps us understand the world and develop technologies that improve our lives. But history also shows that the development of civilizations brings risks of crises and collapse linked to resource depletion. That is why we brought this exhibition to Olomouc—to remind people that sustainability is not a choice, but a necessity. Science is the compass that can help us find our way forward. At CATRIN, Palacký University Olomouc, this is exactly the direction we are taking,” said Pavel Banáš, Director of CATRIN.
The City of Olomouc is a key partner of the exhibition. “The original idea of sustainability—living in such a way that our actions do not damage the environment or limit the possibilities of future generations—is more important than ever. Climate change, resource depletion, pollution—these are not abstract threats but realities we are living through. Sustainability is not just a goal, it is a path. And it is time to set out on that path again, knowing that every step matters,” emphasized the Olomouc Mayor Miroslav Žbánek.
Another partner is the international research project San4Fuel, which develops new materials for renewable energy production and CO₂ reduction. Its aim is to find solutions that will end dependence on fossil fuels. “Sustainability is not a buzzword but a way of thinking about our responsibility to the world. I am fascinated by the Sun—silent, constant, and powerful. If we learn to capture and convert its energy efficiently, we will hold the key to a future based not on compromise, but on balance. This is the challenge my colleagues and I at CATRIN are working on,” explained Štěpán Kment, the principal investigator of San4Fuel.
The exhibition seeks not only to present technological progress but also to inspire a shift in how society thinks. As its authors point out, sustainability is not just a word—it depends on the responsibility of each of us and our respect for the environment in which we live. The general partner of the exhibition is ČEZ.
