The South Moravian Region will provide 100 million for the Janáček Cultural Centre Brno.

Brno - The South Moravian Region will allocate a total of 100 million crowns for the construction of the Janáček Cultural Centre in Brno, said governor Michal Hašek (ČSSD) to journalists today. The concert hall, with a capacity of 1,250 seats, will be built by Brno at a cost of 1.3 billion crowns. It is expected to be completed in 2019.

A joint interest in building the Janáček Cultural Centre was declared back in March during a meeting attended by Hašek, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (ČSSD), Minister of Culture Daniel Herman (KDU-ČSL), and Brno Mayor Petr Vokřál (ANO). "We recognize the importance of the Janáček Cultural Centre and are prepared to contribute with an investment of 100 million crowns. This is an exceptional matter, as we do not approve one hundred million investments every day, especially into institutions outside the region. However, we understand that the concert hall will be of regional significance and will symbolize the entire Moravian culture," Hašek stated, adding that he anticipates a collaborative approach from the city, region, and state.

The city values the region's step. "We sincerely thank you," said Matěj Hollan (Žít Brno), the mayor's deputy responsible for culture, in response to a question from ČTK regarding the hundred million support from the region. However, he expected the discussion to happen earlier. "According to the task given by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Culture was supposed to present a material to the government by the end of June so that the state could join the financing. Due to the lengthy discussions at the region, it will not be possible to meet the end of June; however, we believe that the government will discuss it as soon as possible, so that the funding for the new concert hall is secured," Hollan added. He previously stated that the city is capable of investing about half a billion crowns into the project. Additional funds will be sought from other sources.

The center will be the home of the Brno Philharmonic, which lacks appropriate spaces for rehearsing and performing. The concert hall has long been a topic of discussion, but there has never been money for it. The initial phase of construction involves the garages being built at the corner of Besední and Veselé Streets, which will be located underground under the center. The construction of the concert hall is expected to begin at the end of next year.