The new building will not go to the library, but to the film archive

Prague - While Czech librarians are unlikely to see new buildings for the National Library anytime soon, film researchers can look forward to it. A new building for the National Film Archive (NFA) is promised by the program for the care of the national cultural treasure managed by the Ministry of Culture. As of now, there is no land for construction, but it is estimated that the cost could be around 345 million crowns - which is more than ten times less than the estimated budget for the new National Library project. The archive building, however, may not begin construction until 2013.
    The program also includes a new depository and the reconstruction of the historic building of the Applied Arts Museum, as well as a depository and an extension to the current headquarters of the National Technical Museum. Culture Minister Václav Jehlička (KDU-ČSL) plans that by 2017, over ten billion crowns will go toward the restoration and development of five state cultural institutions, which is more than the entire annual budget of the department.
    The program was approved by the government in 2006, with the commitment that by 2014, 10.3 billion crowns will come from the state budget and the abolished National Property Fund (FNM). At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the minister presented the program as one that should extend to 2017.
    In addition to the mentioned institutions, the program is set to care for the National Museum and the National Library (NK). The museum is to receive almost 4.5 billion crowns from the program between 2007 and 2017, mainly for the reconstruction of the main building in Wenceslas Square. The former building of the Federal Assembly, which the museum will acquire and which will connect with the historic building, will also undergo a reconstruction costing 165 million crowns.
    The NK is expected to draw 2.8 billion crowns from the program between 2007 and 2016. The reconstruction of the Klementinum, which has already begun, is estimated at one billion crowns. However, the management of the NK conditioned its completion on the construction of a new building. According to Jehlička's statement on Wednesday, however, Jan Kaplický's project is halted, and the ministry wants to focus on the Klementinum, where, according to him, there are reserves, and on the construction of another depository in Hostivař. According to the NK management, the depository is not a long-term solution and is reportedly sufficient for about seven years. The minister stated that plans for the construction are already underway, and approximately 61 million crowns should be drawn from the program for it this year.
    While the museum and library and their inadequate spatial facilities are often discussed, not much is known about the NFA. This is despite the fact that it is among the ten most important film archives in the world. Alongside the new building, the ministry also wants a new archival complex costing 190 million crowns, which is to be developed in Hradištko in Prague-West, where the archive has a dislocated workplace. Implementation is planned for 2011.
    The Applied Arts Museum, built in the early 20th century, is completely overwhelmed with collection items. Therefore, it will receive a new central depository in Prague-Stodůlky, which is expected to start construction in 2012, with costs around 570 million crowns. The historic building will then be reconstructed for 420 million crowns, with a timeline similar to that of the depository's construction.
    The National Technical Museum is already under renovation, but it is also to get another depository in Čelákovice in Prague, and a plan for an extension of the main building in Letná has been developed.
    In 2006, the national cultural treasure care program received 65.5 million crowns from the FNM, and last year 592.5 million crowns. This year, contributions from the FNM are at their highest, amounting to 643 million crowns; since this year, the state budget also contributes - 134 million crowns. Contributions from the FNM will continue to decrease and will end in 2011, while contributions from the budget are expected to grow.