Nearly 1500 light bulbs illuminated the deteriorating department store Breda in Opava today

photo: Ing. arch. Hana Šrajerová

Opava – Nearly 1500 light bulbs illuminated the dilapidated Breda department store in Opava this evening. Donors contributed to their installation on the facade of the national cultural monument through a fundraising campaign. Its organizer, Linda Bittová, originally aimed to raise 200,000 crowns, but in the end, over 500,000 crowns were collected. The additional funds will be used for the most urgent repairs of the devastated building.

Bittová, who specializes in real estate in Opava, decided to organize the fundraiser together with sculptor Kurt Gebauer, a native of the Opava region. His works could potentially be displayed in the former shopping center building in the future. "He is looking for a gallery where he can permanently showcase his works. The idea of saving the Breda department store brought us together. That’s why we organized several public tours of this monument to introduce citizens to its current devastated state. At the same time, we wanted to spark interest and emotion to do something about it," Bittová stated.

The first event was the lighting of the building during the pre-Christmas period. Climbers installed 1500 light bulbs on the facade. "We decided to light up this gem to symbolically remind ourselves of how beautiful a landmark it is for Opava," she added, noting that the funds raised above the required amount would be used for urgent repairs, primarily focusing on waterproofing the roofs and possibly repairing the dome's drainage system.

Bittová added that their activities would continue next year. "We would like to hold guided tours with screenings again because there is enormous public interest. If we succeed in acquiring the property for the city, we plan to organize a fundraiser for roof replacement and a general repair of the dome," she added.

At the time of its opening in 1928, Breda was the largest department store in the country. The building, constructed in 1927 through the renovation of the original department store, is now falling into disrepair. The company Kamila Kolka, which owns it, is in liquidation. The current city administration is interested in purchasing it. However, the councilors did not approve the buyout this March.

The city hall intends to invest nearly 300 million crowns into the building, which has an area of 10,000 m². In addition to the purchase price, these are the costs of renovating the building. The annual operating cost of the building is expected to be around 17.7 million crowns. Conversely, the city should earn 15.8 million crowns from rent and paid services. The difference would then be covered by a city subsidy for the building’s operation.