The exhibition “Sustainability and Civilization” will also showcase Olomouc science
The travelling exhibition Sustainability and Civilization, the third part of a cycle of author exhibitions by the Egyptologist Miroslav Bárta, will be on display at Olomouc’s Dolní náměstí, starting on August 15. The exhibition, prepared by the company Medialogue on large-scale panels, shows that sustainability is not just a buzzword—it depends on the responsible approach of each of us and our respect for the environment in which we live. Scientists from the Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN) of Palacký University contributed to its preparation and ensured that the exhibition would come to Olomouc. The City of Olomouc is also a partner of the event.
“Science is a powerful tool for society. It helps us understand the world and develop technologies that improve our lives. But as history shows, the development of civilizations also carries the risk of crises and collapse associated with the depletion of resources. That’s why we brought the exhibition to Olomouc. We want to remind everyone that sustainability is not a choice, but a necessity—and science is the compass that can help us find the right way. At CATRIN, Palacký University, this is the direction we are pursuing,” said the CATRIN Director Pavel Banáš.
The stories presented on 39 panels focus on concepts of sustainability, the role of natural materials, and the harvesting of clean energy. They highlight technological advances in these areas and showcase positive examples with the goal of changing public thinking and behaviour. The panels explore terms such as the circular economy and recycling of synthetic materials. Researchers from CATRIN contributed to panels titled Feeding Humanity, Plastic Recycling, Pocket Energy, and Carbon on Stage, among others.
The exhibition is co-sponsored by the statutory city of Olomouc. “The original idea of sustainability—living in a way that does not harm the environment or future generations—is more important than ever. Climate change, the depletion of natural resources, pollution — these are not abstract threats, but realities we are experiencing. Sustainability is not just a goal—it is a route. It is a route we must take again, being aware that every step counts,” said the Mayor Miroslav Žbánek.
Another partner of the exhibition is the international scientific project San4Fuel, which focuses on the development of new materials for harvesting “green” energy and reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. The aim is to find solutions to end our dependence on fossil fuels. “Sustainability is not a trendy word but a way of thinking about our responsibility to the world. Growth without balance is short-sighted, and science that does not consider its consequences is blind. I am fascinated by the Sun—it is silent, steady, and powerful. If we learn how to efficiently capture and convert its energy, we hold the key to a future based not on compromise but on equilibrium. At CATRIN, my colleagues and I are addressing this very challenge,” said Štěpán Kment, the principal investigator of the San4Fuel project.
The exhibition will be freely accessible until September 4 and, thanks to solar-powered lighting of the panels, will also be viewable in the evening hours.
