Architect: The Křižík Pavilion does not correspond to the exhibition of the epic

Prague - According to architect Jindřich Smetana, Křižík's pavilion at the Prague Exhibition Grounds is unsuitable for displaying the Slav Epic by Alfons Mucha. He said today that the pavilion cannot be renovated to have suitable microclimatic conditions. The capital city wants to move the epic to the pavilion from the chateau in Moravský Krumlov, where it has been stored in recent years.
    In recent days, Incheba, the owner of the chateau and also the operator of the Exhibition Grounds, did not extend the rental agreement for the chateau hall where the epic is located. According to the Krumlov city hall, the main city likely "applied pressure" on Incheba.
    The modifications to the pavilion that the city is planning will, according to Smetana, cost almost the same as building a new pavilion. "It's a seasonal pavilion; the roof would need to be insulated," noted the architect. However, he stated that the building can no longer bear "even an extra deko." The pavilion is located in the first flood zone, but according to Smetana, it is not large enough for the paintings to be quickly lifted to safety during a flood. He emphasized that Mucha required the city to build a new pavilion for the work when donating the epic to Prague.
    The chief conservator of the National Heritage Institute, Josef Štulc, emphasized that a stable environment must be ensured, especially for the paintings. "Excessive humidity, combined with organic materials, poses a risk of mold," he pointed out. He highlighted how Moravský Krumlov cares for the epic. "I almost feel sorry that it has to be taken away from Krumlov, but on the other hand, one cannot deny that the author dedicated the work to Prague," said Štulc.
    Prague councilor Milan Richter believes the pavilion does not require significant intervention; according to him, the city is planning modifications to the building's exterior and the installation of air conditioning. He rejects the claims about the pavilion's unsuitability. Additionally, the councilor stated that the canvases can be easily moved in the event of an impending flood. Although the city does not rule out the construction of a new building, it considers the quickest possible return of the epic to be the most important at this time.
    Moravský Krumlov rejects the relocation of the paintings. However, after Incheba did not extend the rental for the Knight's Hall of the Krumlov chateau, the city lacks space to exhibit the work. "We have a signed contract, which includes a provision for a six-month notice period. It will expire next April, by which time we can still use the hall. We will use this time for negotiations," stated the mayor of Moravský Krumlov, Jaroslav Mokrý.
    He described Incheba's approach regarding the Knight's Hall as strange and not very serious. "The Prague city hall probably pressured Incheba," said the mayor. Since 2004, Incheba has owned the Krumlov chateau and also operates the Prague Exhibition Grounds. Culture councilor Milan Richter denied that Prague pressured Incheba regarding Mucha's epic. "I have not negotiated with them," Richter told ČTK.
    Mucha donated the epic to Prague with the condition that a gallery would be built for it. However, according to the city hall, this condition is not legally binding; rather, it is of a moral nature. According to city officials, copyright ownership is not related to this, as the protection will end in 2010.
    The epic has been at the chateau in Moravský Krumlov for 45 years. The relocation of the canvases depicting scenes from Slavic history back to Prague has been discussed for a long time. There have been numerous proposals regarding where the work should be exhibited, such as the Industrial Palace at the Exhibition Grounds and the Clementinum.