Česky
How did you get from Boskovice to Hořovice?
At the national congress of the Chamber of Pharmacy 15 years ago I met the chairman of the local district association, Mr. Veverka. In the course of the conversation, I mentioned to him that I was thinking about a change, and he came up with an interesting offer. I discussed it at home with my wife, because we have two small children. We agreed that it wouldn't be easy, but that it could be an interesting experience.
How do you spend your time without your family?
I usually put on a movie or a record. And now and then I look up information on the Internet. I can spend long hours in front of the TV.
I'm surprised you don't pursue your hobbies...
I don't have that much time for them and I don't have the conditions for them here yet, but that will get better with time and I'll bring something. I've neglected some hobbies and haven't gotten around to them for 20 years.
For example?
I used to be very interested in zoology. I studied the taxonomic system and its changes, learned Latin names. I was also very interested in modeling. I started with simpler models of cars, and then I moved on to architecture. Recently, I've dusted off my classical singing again. And I also collect figures of leaders - usually they have some kind of real face - like Churchill, Napoleon or Donald Trump and Louis de Funès. A lot of them have a pre-World War II image.
I hear you've got a big model of a cathedral in the works.
I only have it on paper so far. It's my idea of a cathedral where I'm playing with different types of decorations and vaults. I look at the architecture when I travel, and if I like something, I incorporate it into my model. It's probably my life's work. I hope to finish it someday.
Oh, so the building doesn't have a real model, is this your idea of what a cathedral might look like?
Like I said, I take inspiration from real buildings, like a lot of the elements I painted in there after visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral in Amiens. Apart from architecture, I also notice the surroundings and I'm fascinated by palace gardens, like the Petrodvorce or the Great Garden in Hanover. I would like to build a model of a nice garden. I'm not so much concerned with the realistic form, I just want my model to be the biggest and most beautiful.
Do you travel a lot?
I didn't travel much before I had my wife. Now I travel more, but alone. My wife found it difficult to travel with me. I spent seven hours touring Milan Cathedral. She found it uninteresting, so she started sending me on my own, just scheduling me. Sometimes it's quite adventurous because I don't speak many languages.
You also collect order insignia, uniforms and costumes. How did you get into that?
I don't collect uniforms or dresses, I have everything made by a tailor. I always draw them for him, make the cut and tell him exactly how it should look, and supervise him. He also makes me classic suits, which aren't worn as much nowadays. I mean tailcoats, tuxedos, blazers... I like to wear formal suits. I more or less do costume presentations for my friends. From time to time I invite them to an event to show off my efforts. That's why I wrote the book.
You wrote a book? About what?
It's about the history of our family, but if you read it, it's more about the history of Europe from 1736 to 1960.
When you say it's a history of your family, did you make a family tree?
I did some, but I wrote the book the way I needed to. It's mainly to showcase the various orders, not just the military. I have pictures of the highest orders of various states. You know our Order of the White Lion or the highest Prussian decoration, the Order of the Black Eagle, which is now the domestic order of the Hohenzollern family. I also have the highest French Order of the Holy Ghost, which is no longer used by France, I have the Napoleonic Order of the Legion of Honour, and from England I have the Order of the Garter, which is still awarded.
Where did your interest in history come from?
I even wanted to study history. However, my parents explained to me that I should choose another field. Plus, I'm not too concerned with historical accuracy. I like beautiful things - and ceremonial uniforms and orders are. Look at the ermine coat, for example, and how the insignia of the order looks on it. George IV, for example, had all the highest orders at his coronation - the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Golden Fleece, the Order of the Golden Thistle, which is the highest Scottish order.
How many insignia do you have at home? Have you ever counted them?
I have eight sherpas, and then I have ten chains, which are the highest orders, and then a few second and third class orders. These are mostly on the Order's ribbons. I estimate I may have about fifty orders.
Who has the biggest wardrobe?
My wife is a minimalist. I have more. When my college classmates at the reunion asked me how many I think I have, I told them about 80 suits. I thought I'd exaggerated, but it's more like more.
You could say you're a lover of old times, old vintage clothes...
It's nothing old. I mean, in Britain, a jacket is commonly worn to the races, a tailcoat to a Viennese opera. I'd say I'm rather fond of formal dress. I don't like the current comfortable fashion. I don't think there's anything beautiful about sweatpants, even for going out.
"Sweatpants and going out, there's nothing beautiful about that."
You wear costumes for your own pleasure and for the photo shoot. And you adjust everything to that. I mean, your mistress must have a lot of patience with you.
I don't bother her much otherwise. But of course, sometimes she grumbles when, like now, I grow my hair and beard because I'm styling myself as Peter the Great, the Emperor of Brazil. I've also had the likeness of Napoleon III. But after the winter, I'll take it off.
