On Thursday, 12 June 2025, we held a professional conference in Jáchymov dedicated to the legacy of Marie Curie-Skłodowska and the 100th anniversary of her visit to the town. The conference kicked off a three-day programme that recalled the historical and scientific significance of this exceptional personality and her ties to Jáchymov. The event was prepared as part of the Spa Research Centre project. The partners were the Jáchymov Spa and the Friends of Marie Curie-Skłodowska Society.
The opening speech was given by the President of the Association of Health Spas of the Czech Republic, MUDr. Eduard Bláha, followed by Ing. Dana Drábová, Ph.D., Dr. h. c. The conference was attended by experts from the Czech Republic, Poland and France. Dr. Renaud Huynh, Director of the Musée Curie in Paris, recalled the development of radioactivity research and the role of the Curies in the international context. Prof. Izabela Nowak discussed the phenomenon of "radio fever" and presented contemporary objects from the early 20th century. Prof. Tomasz Pospieszny presented the connection between the Jáchymov uranium and the birth of modern nuclear science. Dr. Barbara Gołębiowska, Director of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Museum in Warsaw, emphasized the importance of Marie Curie-Skłodowska as a scientist and an inspiring personality.
Expert contributions were also devoted to e.g. brachyradium therapy in Jáchymov, the use of radon in contemporary spa practice, mining history and natural resources in the region, the safety of radioactive waste disposal and the social and cultural context of Marie Curie-Skłodowska's work. There were also topics on radiation protection, the history of the Institute of Nuclear Physics and scientific cooperation with the Curie family.
The conference was held under the auspices of the Governor of the Karlovy Vary Region Mgr. Jana Mračková Vildumetzová and the Mayor of the Statutory City of Karlovy Vary and Councillor for Spa, Tourism and UNESCO Ing. Andrea Pfeffer Ferklová, MBA.
Within the framework of the conference, the almanac S Madame Curie-Skłodowska to the Cradle of Radio: Commemorating the Centenary of the Rare Visit to Jáchymov was also created by a collective of authors Karel Kůt, Šárka Malá, Ivan Malý, Patricie Hloušková, Karel Řeháček and Lubomír Zeman.
