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Thomas-Witt-Foundation Welcoming speech of Bavarian State Minister for Science, Research and Art Hans ZEHETMAIR on the occasion of signing the establishment agreement of "Thomas Witt Stiftung" on February 9th, 2000 in Munich
On the left: : Dipl.-Businessman Thomas J. WITT On the right: Minister of Culture Hans ZEHETMAIR	The collector of old books, modern art, or even toothpicks or salt-cellars from various lands, finds him- or herself amazed by the cultural integrity. Although we can now meet butterflies everywhere in commercials, on posters, ties and on teapots, our imagination of butterfly collector usually does not go beyond that, represented on grotesque pictures from SPITZWEG-School: father of the family with his vasculum and buzzing butterfly net on Sunday in the country. Linked to the nature art of MERIAN is quite amazing, but her fancy for fluttering “parasites” or for growing them from caterpillars-“worms” has been shared only by a few.
I am not sure; whether the NABOKOV’s passion for collecting butterflies, which in the last year has been demonstrated on the occasion of his 100 anniversary, was for the scientific purpose. Perhaps, this habit was one of those odd traits of character he shared with personages. That is not unusual, that founders of large, famous collections of insects are often not weird and strange people, but, above all, personalities. This was true for Lord Walter ROTHSCHILD in London, who made a collection of butterflies for British Museum of Natural History. This is also true for half-legendary Beetle-Consul FREY (Loden-FREY), whose collection we could not safe for Bavaria; and this is true for Thomas WITT. WITT, amazed by “butterflies and moths”, started his worldwide known collection quite early. Rich library, private museum and WITT Museum have appeared from this. Until now it still remains a Mekka for local and foreign scientists. Study of the collection brought valuable scientific knowledge and discoveries, in which WITT was not the last participant. I do not hesitate to name the butterfly collection of WITT as a product of culture. It is not fair, that the culture is generally treated as being represented only in Art museums and is not associated with scientific collections. In fact, the result of the scientific passion can be “a cultural monument” – "FREY-Collection" is good example of it. Such a high ranked collection of natural objects is not limited to natural data and facts; assembled in certain scientific, social and political environment, it is a true cultural and historical component of the time. An aesthetical beauty and brightness of the object, of the butterfly, goes with this. From the cultural point of view, it is important for us, that such important natural history collections are supported and made available for the public access. In this case, the Bavaria, with its long lasting traditions of organizing of Natural History collections, appears to be an ideal place. As never before, the development of museums and collections requires support of private initiatives, donations and foundations, even the patronage of individuals. Spectacular purchases, such as Archaeopteryx bavaricus, will always be exceptional. Mutual interests should be followed: growing collections should be accessible to bring scientific results, whereas the donator has to provide an interesting material. Butterfly collection, which Dr. WITT presents to the State, matches all these requirements. I wish that the signing of organization of WITT-Foundation, would enrich the science and culture in Bavaria. That is why I heartily thank you for your significant contribution, Dr. WITT, privately and on behalf of the state of Bavaria.