The preservationists extended the lease agreement for the revolving stage in Český Krumlov

České Budějovice - The heritage officials have extended the lease agreement for the rotating auditorium in the garden of the Český Krumlov castle to December 31, 2008. The South Bohemian Theatre thus has the next two seasons guaranteed in this space. This is reported by today’s South Bohemian supplement of Mladá fronta Dnes.
    The city of České Budějovice, which owns the rotating stage, will also soon announce an architectural competition for a new design of this structure, which according to the heritage officials should disappear from the castle garden in Krumlov. This plan is also supported by Culture Minister Martin Štěpánek, while the mayor of Krumlov defends keeping the rotating stage in the garden, which is not rejected by the mayor of Budějovice.
    Representatives of both cities will now negotiate with the heritage officials on how to long-term preserve the theatrical tradition in Krumlov. "The resolution of the UNESCO World Committee to remove the auditorium from the park is clear. We need to consider how we will respond. The relocation of the rotating stage is a matter that is prospective for preserving the tradition, even with the possibility that it could continue in some form in that garden," said Pavel Jerie, the director of the National Heritage Institute, to the paper. He suggests building a new stage behind the garden, but at the same time keeping the festivals in the castle garden.
    Culture Minister Martin Štěpánek stated that the space of the horticulture behind the wall of the castle park should be utilized, where a new rotating stage could be built. "Bellarie would thus be liberated. This is a project that the former minister Jandák killed with his decision. I would lean towards this variant, but I need a positive opinion from the Krumlov councilors and heritage officials," he told the paper.
    The land by the horticulture, covering an area of five hectares, with a value of 2.7 million crowns, however, does not belong to the city of Krumlov but to the state. It is managed by the Land Fund, which has already offered it for sale in July. Two of the plots have already been transferred to new owners, and another will be offered for sale after the New Year.