Náchod and the Kaplicky Centre have signed a memorandum to support the legacy of the Kaplicky family.

Náchod - The city of Náchod and the Kaplicky Centre Foundation today signed a memorandum in support of the legacy of the Kaplický family, cooperation in the architectural development of the spa in the Běloves district, and the promotion of architecture and modern art. Discussions will also take place regarding the possibility of creating a Villa Platýz based on the design by architect Jan Kaplický within the spa area. Nina Adlof, spokesperson for the Náchod city council, said this to ČTK.

The text of the memorandum was approved by city council members last December. Today, the memorandum was signed by Eliška Kaplický Fuchsová, a member of the board of the Kaplicky Centre Foundation, and Mayor Jan Birke (ČSSD). Eliška Kaplický Fuchsová is the sole holder of the copyright of her deceased husband, Jan Kaplický.

Jan Kaplický's mother, Jiřina Kaplická, was born in 1901 in Náchod and spent a significant part of her life in the city. The city council and Kaplicky Centre plan to present her artwork of flower watercolors, ornamental shrubs, and other plants. They will also collaborate on organizing exhibitions about the life and work of Jiřina Kaplická and Jan Kaplický.

"I feel a debt primarily to commemorate the legacy of Jiřina Kaplická. She undoubtedly belongs to the family of significant natives of Náchod, and I would like her life and work to be known," Birke stated after signing the memorandum. Eliška Kaplický Fuchsová added that Jiřina Kaplická was a significant botanical illustrator. "Next year marks 40 years since her death," she noted, adding that she has a very close connection to Náchod.

There is also agreement on the cooperation between the city and the Kaplicky Centre in planning the public space in the Běloves spa. They should organize symposia or conferences to discuss the form of the spa buildings. The dilapidated complex known as the Old Spa has belonged to the city since 2021. The long-term intention of the city council is to revive spa tourism in the city.

The city of Náchod will also engage in activities at the Kaplicky creative centre, which the Kaplicky Centre intends to establish in the heritage-protected Čerych Villa in Česká Skalice. Náchod is located ten kilometers from Česká Skalice. "The city will also facilitate connections for the Kaplicky Centre in Náchod with local entrepreneurs who express interest in utilizing the legacy or works of Jiřina or Jan Kaplický," the spokesperson stated.

Jan Kaplický was a prominent architect who worked in Britain since his emigration in 1968. In 1979, he founded the Future Systems studio in London. Among the most notable buildings of Kaplický's studio are the Selfridges department store in Birmingham, the NatWest Media Centre in London, and the Enzo Ferrari Museum. For the Czech Republic, Kaplický designed the National Library building in Letná, which sparked significant controversy, and a concert hall in České Budějovice. Neither of these projects has been realized to date.