Karlovy Vary are looking for a director of the symphony and the architecture office

Karlovy Vary – The city of Karlovy Vary is looking for new directors for the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra (KSO) and the Office of City Architecture (KAM). According to Deputy Mayor Tomáš Trtek (ANO), they expect new impulses from them. The dismissal of both directors, Petr Polívka from KSO and Petr Kropp from KAM, has sparked a wave of dissent.

"This was not an arbitrary action. It was after two and a half years of cooperation. We simply reached this step. The reason for the dismissal was that the city council resolved to find new impulses for the management and direction of these two organizations," stated Trtek.

Deputy Mayor Josef Kopfstein (Karlovaráci) added that KSO was the only city organization that was not cut in city funding even in this year's budget. However, as Trtek admitted, both directors had previously been criticized by the council for mismanagement of finances.

For example, the professional council of KAM, which consists mainly of respected experts such as architects Eva Jiřičná and Boris Redčenkov, spoke out against the dismissal. The KAM team also expressed doubts about the choice of a new director on Facebook. "If we suspect, for example, that he was politically appointed, it could make working at KAM KV less attractive for us and could even lead to a collective resignation. The loss of qualified experts would erode trust not only in the professional community but also among the citizens of this city," the collective stated in a declaration.

The KDU-ČSL organization from Karlovy Vary also protested against the dismissal. "Petr Polívka has been leading KSO well and successfully since 2015 in both managerial and artistic aspects. Petr Kropp is the soul of KAM, which he turned into a key institution over two years, ensuring thoughtful and quality development of the city’s public spaces. Both men are inspiring personalities with international experience and perspective. We need to bring such figures to our city, not throw them out," stated KDU-ČSL in their declaration.

Applications for the selection processes for the new directors of the symphony and the city architecture office can be submitted until April 30, 2021, with the expected start date being June 1, 2021, or by agreement.

The leadership of Karlovy Vary, formed by ANO, ODS, and Karlovaráci, has previously replaced the directors of Spa Forests, the Administration of Natural Healing Resources and Colonnades, and the City Social Services Facility.