Dr. Holub became famous in Zambia for the historically first detailed map of Victoria Falls, but also for the first description of the culture of the Lozi, Tonga and Ila ethnic groups. His Excellency Ambassador Pavel Procházka presented four thematic information boards as a gift during this event, which became part of the permanent exhibition in agreement with the management of the Livingstone Museum.

The lecture, which was attended by over fifty visitors, was given by the Africanist and former diplomat Dr. Marie Imbrová. Among other things, she recalled that the great Czech explorer undertook expeditions to South Africa in the years 1872-1879 and 1883-1887, during which he acquired an extensive natural history and ethnographic collection. He lectured, exhibited, wrote travel books and articles. He enjoyed similar fame to the Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone. He even corresponded with Charles Darwin. Dr. Holub brought tens of thousands of exhibits from Africa. However, we can only speculate about the exact number. The lecturer Dr. Imbrová did not forget to mention the person of Růžena (Rosa) Holubová, who accompanied her husband during his second African expedition.

I wanted to contribute to science and my country – reads one of Holub's quotes. Without a doubt, his wishes came true. In addition, he managed to leave an indelible Czech mark in Africa.

 

Michal Novak, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Lusaka