Kroměříž Museum Exhibits Work of Orientalist Rypka

Why this is here: The exhibit features over 100 personal items from Josef Rypka’s collection, including a hand-painted silk curtain from Isfahan.

The Kroměříž Museum in the Czech Republic presents an exhibit on the life and work of orientalist Josef Rypka. The exhibit, titled “Íránský poutník zpátky doma” (Iranian Pilgrim Back Home), details Rypka’s childhood in Kroměříž and his studies in Vienna. It traces his developing interest in Persian, Turkish, and Arabic languages through his travels and academic pursuits.

The museum highlights Rypka’s contributions to Czechoslovakian oriental studies, including his role in founding the journal Archiv orientální. Visitors can view over 100 items from Rypka’s estate, such as Czech paintings, Chinese porcelain, and a miniature Koran in a metal case. The exhibit also covers Rypka’s work after 1948 with the Czechoslovakian Academy of Sciences.

The museum notes that Rypka’s major work, Dějiny perské a tádžické literatury (History of Persian and Tajik Literature), received international publication. The exhibit runs until November 1, 2026, and the museum plans guided tours and educational programs. Researchers currently lack detailed information about the full scope of Rypka’s correspondence.