<Museum> in Šumperk is preparing an exhibition about the Grand Hotel and is reaching out to the public

Šumperk - The Regional Museum in Šumperk is preparing an exhibition dedicated to the history and future of the Grand Hotel. To map its history, they are also reaching out to the residents of the town. They are particularly looking for images of the hotel's interiors from parties or celebrations. The exhibition curators will also welcome memories of moments that people experienced in the cult hotel in Šumperk, said exhibition curator Kristina Lipenská to ČTK. The hotel is located in a functionalist building, which is among the most prominent structures in Šumperk. The hotel is currently undergoing extensive reconstruction and is scheduled to reopen this year. It will be newly named Perk.

The exhibition will open at the Šumperk museum on March 22. "The Grand Hotel is an important landmark in the town, standing in a representative location on the boulevard that leads from the train station to the center. It is a significant functionalist building, which was expanded in the 1960s but lost the charm of the First Republic. At that time, it was perceived as a palace that brought a modern lifestyle to Šumperk," stated the exhibition curator.

The hotel was often the center of social events in Šumperk. For example, in 1968, its surroundings were the center of resistance against the Warsaw Pact occupation forces. It also appeared on the big screen - in 2013, a black comedy by Ondřej Sokol titled Krásno was filmed here.

According to Lipenská, the exhibition is mainly intended to present the history of the hotel and its construction. Specialists classify the object located at the corner of Hlavní třída and 17. listopadu třída as an example of quality Czech construction in Šumperk during the interwar period. The functionalist architecture was designed and realized by the Olomouc builder Tomáš Šipka between 1931 and 1932. The hotel received its current form during a renovation between 1965 and 1967, the city mentioned on its website. "The building is somewhat overlooked due to the renovation in the 60s, but when the hotel opened at Christmas in 1931, it was a sensation. It's a progressive type of architecture related to functionalist buildings," added the curator.

To prepare for the exhibition, museum representatives are mainly looking for photographs of the hotel's interior as well as memories of moments people experienced there. They can share these directly at the museum's box office. "We are collecting photographs from any time, especially from interiors that are not documented. For example, there are shots from parties, celebrations, and dance meetings that took place in the café on the first floor. We would also appreciate any memorabilia associated with the hotel," added the exhibition curator. The call is valid until February 19.

The hotel is currently undergoing extensive reconstruction, and its owners have changed the name to Perk. The result will be a transformation not only of its internal spaces but also of the exterior, which will be more glass-enclosed, with the facade in lighter colors. The designer Lucie Koldová is behind the transformation of the interiors. After the reconstruction, the hotel is expected to have new conference halls, a wellness center, and a restaurant. The upcoming exhibition will also include the future of the hotel.