Letohrad opened a modernized cultural center after two years

Letohrad – The completed modernization of the cultural center in Letohrad in the Orlickoústecko region will allow for a transformation and expansion of the cultural offerings for audiences, including the introduction of a new 3D cinema. Dagmar Bednářová, the director of the organization, told ČTK. After two years, the construction work has finished, and today a festive opening of the building took place.

"Thanks to new technologies, we can have more frequent screenings. Before, we didn't even have a digital cinema. Subscriptions for theater performances will be offered. The concert hall will continue to be used for dance classes and for discussions, standing concerts," said Bednářová.

According to the director, audiences in the hall will appreciate the more comfortable seats. The backstage area for performers is also more welcoming. "The dressing rooms used to be on the second floor and weren't very modern. Now, actors have them right next to the stage. In the near future, we have a performance of Millionaire Maintenance with Petr Nárožný and Veronika Freimanová, and in the autumn, there will be a concert by Monika Absolonová," Bednářová stated.

The construction company took over the building in the autumn of 2021. The modernization cost the city 250 million crowns. The costs ultimately were about 20 million crowns higher than expected. "COVID came into play, and the war conflict in Ukraine came into play. We had to deal with that during the construction. In the end, we delivered everything on the agreed deadline and quality," said VCES spokesperson Vladimír Ujec to ČTK.

The cultural center in Letohrad began construction in 1959 and was completed in the 1960s. It had been closed since 2019 due to poor technical condition. The scope of modernization and financial requirements took the city a long time to address. The opposition did not want to release over 200 million, and a referendum was held. However, two-thirds of voters in 2016 supported the full reconstruction.

The building now features an expanded stage. The tiered seating remains, but there are fewer seats, and they are more comfortable. A dance hall has been added. The operation of the café and outdoor seating remains. The construction company added a hall for the elementary art school, which is moving there from the castle. This will free up space in the castle interiors for a library.

"The halls are equipped with modern technology. The most significant change has been the entrance to the building, which now offers a full-fledged dance hall," Ujec said.