” “The international conference on "Architecture and liturgy in the twentieth century. An exchange of European experiences" opened in Venice this morning, organised by the National Office for the Cultural Heritage of the Church of the Italian Bishops Conference, by the Patriarchate and the diocesan museum of Venice. Until tomorrow, experts from several European countries will speak of the way "twentieth-century architecture has tackled the problem of the execution of sacred places in Europe". Father Giuseppe Russo, on behalf of the Italian Bishops Conference, explains: "We will look at the importance of the Church within the city and within society. What role, what impact, what function have the places of worship had in the twentieth century?" Austria, Belgium, Portugal and the Czech Republic are the countries called to speak of their experiences. The church as a building, say the organisers, "has been looked into as an architecture within the city and as related to the city", able to "reshape itself to help revive its function in relation to historical, cultural and social changes". The speakers include Conrad Lienhardt from Linz (Austria), Karel Rechlik, director of the diocesan museum of Brno (Czech Republic), and the director of the 10th International Architecture Exhibition, in progress in Venice, Richard Burdett.” “
