William Lobkowicz (USA/CZE)
Businessman
William Lobkowicz was born in Boston to a Czech father and an American mother. He graduated from Harvard University where he studied European history and music. After beginning his career at Chemical Bank in New York City, he spent six years in commercial real estate at Leggat McCall/Grubb & Ellis in Boston.
The Lobkowicz family is one of the most prominent Bohemian noble families whose successive generations over 700 years have played an influential role in European politics and society. The family’s art collection and properties were confiscated twice under the Nazi and Communist regimes, forcing the Lobkowiczes to flee their homeland. After the Velvet Revolution of 1989,which ended over 40 years of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia, William returned to Prague to be part of its democratic reformation and to seek restitution of his family’s confiscated cultural heritage. He has since been reassembling and restoring the art collection and properties, permanently opening them to the public, for the first time in history.
He established his family’s cultural organization, House of Lobkowicz, which manages the Lobkowicz Collections, events, and their five heritage sites: Lobkowicz Palace in Prague Castle, Nelahozeves Castle, Antonín Dvořák Birth House, Roudnice Castle, and Střekov Castle. These historic locations offer exhibitions, cultural activities, educational programs, and venue rentals.
The Role of the Arts in Creating a Better World
20. 7. 2023 11:45 - 12:45
A powerful, inspirational case study for how the arts can lead the drive from a Death Economy to a Life Economy. The story of the Lobkowicz family that advocates for the preservation of monuments and culture while making them available to the world. We will take a look at the Lobkowicz Collections and Antonín Dvořák's birthplace, which they are currently renovating.