Martin Paták and his passion for restauration
Meet Martin Paták, an IT manager with a special knack for problem-solving. He’s responsible for the delivery of all TMT projects in CZ/SK region and all Quality assurance deliveries globally. Some of us might know him best for his expertise at work, but his talents also reach far into history. Recently Martin chose to lead a very special charity campaign as he took it upon himself to lead the restauration of a broken church bell originating from the year 1497.
So, why restore an old bell?
The church bell in every village has been the main communication tool for centuries. It summoned to religious services, was used at extraordinary social events, at weddings and funerals, birthdays of prominent persons, coronations of monarchs and inaugurations of elected heads of state. The ringing of bells has long been used as an alarm signal - in case of fire, floods, or the invasion of foreign troops. And last but not least, the ringing of the bell announced the time before there was a clock in every family home.
Already before World War 1, instead of repairing them, bells were often melted down and repurposed, and many of them were destroyed this way. After both wars, mainly because bells were requisitioned for military purposes, only 13% of Czech bells were preserved, and the bell in this small town was one of the lucky ones to be kept from destruction. It was not lost but didn't enter the 21 century in an operating condition either.
Events and concerts - for restoration
The state of the bell had caught Martin's eye. You see, his attachment to detail has been an asset when managing complex tech systems, and now it showed to be useful as he noticed the neglect of the church bell of St. Bartholomew's in his hometown of Popovičky, near Prague.
Besides his day job strategizing solutions for IT challenges, Martin decided to get to action with this project on his free time. To get the bell functional again he had to orchestrate dozens of efforts – making a website, organizing fundraising events and local concerts, as well as collaborating with experts with special knowledge ensuring the bell can be restored.
Giving back to preserve a historical treasure
So, why is this important for him? Martin is driven by a sense of community, a desire to give back to his hometown and to preserve a piece of unique history. With this mindset, his efforts had extended beyond his IT role. He was reaching out to locals and neighbors to inspire collective action towards a shared goal, much like he drives teamwork at work.
Martin’s journey to save the bell emphasizes the importance of recognizing and safeguarding the past's treasures while navigating the complexities of modern life. He shares this as a lesson for anyone balancing professional responsibilities with community involvement. In other words, f you can make an extra step for a good cause, you should, nevermind if at work or elswhere.
It is worth it. You can imagine how satisfactory it is to listen to the chime of the restored bell. Or you can ask Martin about it.
Please feel free to watch a video to submerge into this wonderful story of charity and heartfulness:
