150 people demonstrated in Plzeň against the demolition of the cultural house

Plzeň - Around 150 mostly young people from various civic initiatives marched through Plzeň this afternoon. With banners and chanting slogans, they protested against the demolition of the cultural house Inwest on Americká třída and against the construction of the Aréna shopping center, which the owner of Inwest and the surrounding land wants to build on the site of the cultural house. The march from the main train station to a subsequent happening in front of Inwest was monitored by several dozen police officers and guards. According to the police, the event was incident-free.
      Against the investors' intentions, a wave of resistance has arisen in Plzeň, including the formation of a civic association called Kultura(k) vítězí, under whose petition for the cultural house hundreds of people are signing. Activists tried to push for the city council to adopt a binding regulatory plan that would prevent the construction of another shopping center and parking lots in the city center. The councilors ultimately agreed on developing regulatory conditions. However, these are not binding for the investor; city representatives, however, claim that the conditions will be an unbreakable part from the municipality in issuing the zoning decision. The regulatory conditions should specify the built mass and structure of the building, as well as its use.
      Today's event also included performances of alternative poetry and a music program. According to the speakers, it is absurd that Plzeň is called the European Capital of Culture in 2015, even though it allows the demolition of essentially the only cultural house. "They want to demolish our cultural house, take part of the public space, and replace it with a culture of consumption and shopping. They will stuff our mouths with their hamburgers so we won't scream, and create a consumer individual and machines for happiness for them," was heard from the speakers.
      One of the event organizers, who wished to remain anonymous, is reportedly fundamentally against the demolition of the cultural house, locally known as the House of Horrors by the Radbuz. He does not entertain the possibility that besides the commercial part, the new Aréna complex would include apartments, services, cultural, and sports activities, as the city leadership now admits the investor suggested. "That building may look pretty awful now, but we already have ideas from architects on how it could be modernized without demolition," claims the demonstrator.
      Martin Marek from the Kultura(k) vítězí initiative is pleased that other groups of people joined the protests. In addition to young people, seniors were also seen in the procession. Other passersby joined in when they realized what the protest was about. "It's necessary that such events happen in Plzeň; we are not the only ones who care," remarked Marek. Some traders from Americká třída also supported the event. "It's terrible; while Inwest isn't much right now, we don't want another shopping center here," said one of the vendors on the street to ČTK.
      However, despite the opposition of many people, the demolition of the cultural house is likely already decided. The last hope of the building's supporters was dashed in early June when heritage protectors did not support the efforts to declare the 1986 building a monument.
      One of the largest cultural houses in the former Czechoslovakia has a hall capacity of 2000 people. Concerts, graduation balls, fashion shows, trade fairs, and conferences are held there. The large building is also home to the Miroslav Horníček Theater and several shops that are already vacating their rented spaces.