Pospíšil: We are considering how to proceed further regarding the Slavic Epic

Prague - Prague aims to decide in the coming months how to proceed regarding the Slav Epic by painter Alfons Mucha. The city can either continue its efforts to reach an agreement with the painter's relative John Mucha, with whom it is in a dispute over the ownership of the paintings, or let the court decide. In an interview with ČTK, Deputy Mayor for Culture Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09) said today. The city has been negotiating the placement in the planned Savarin project for about a year now, but a final agreement does not yet exist. The canvases are currently borrowed at the castle in Moravský Krumlov.

"We have two options, either to take the risk and go to the appellate court, or not to take the risk, because the symbolism and significance of the Slav Epic are so extraordinary and are associated with such strong emotions that we, as responsible politicians, cannot afford to be involved in that dispute," Pospíšil said. "By summer, I would like to know if we are capable of an agreement, or if we will let the court dispute run its course," he added.

The first-instance court ruled against the capital city at the end of 2020, stating that it had not fulfilled the painter's condition to provide dignified exhibition spaces for the cycle. Both parties reached a preliminary agreement last year regarding an out-of-court settlement, which involved placing the paintings in the planned commercial project Savarin. However, according to Pospíšil, the court-imposed deadline has already expired, and the city is now requesting an extension. "The court may or may not grant it," he said.

The deputy is also not fully satisfied with the terms of the agreement that the city signed with John Mucha and the company Crestyl, which owns Savarin. He believes it is crucial to settle the court dispute with the final signature, while according to previously negotiated conditions, this would only happen upon the completion of construction. According to him, it will be necessary to negotiate a change of conditions with Crestyl as well. Given the uncertain situation surrounding Savarin, which, according to earlier information, had issues obtaining a zoning decision, it would be wise to have a backup solution ready, he noted. "I hope that the Mucha family will also make an effort to reach an agreement," he stated.

He added that even if the city continued the dispute and lost, it would probably not mean the end of the wrangling over ownership of the paintings, as more people claiming ownership would likely emerge.

The plan for a twenty-five-year placement of the paintings in underground spaces in the reconstructed Savarin Palace has faced criticism, including from the painter's granddaughter Jarmila Mucha Plocková. She believes the planned spaces are unsuitable as they are below the groundwater level and considers the connection of a cultural monument with a shopping and administrative center in the center of Prague to be inappropriate. She also disapproved of the fact that according to the original proposal, which Prague's leadership approved at the beginning of last year, the rent could reach up to half a billion crowns over 25 years and potentially another five-year option. Plocková suggested the castle in Prague's Zbraslav as a suitable location.

The spokesman for Crestyl, Ondřej Micka, told ČTK today in connection with the preparation of the Savarin project that previous objections from the ministry concerned earlier versions of the documentation, and Minister of Culture Martin Baxa (ODS) canceled the negative stance of his ministry last year. "The approval processes for the current version of the project from Thomas Heatherwick are now proceeding as standard; the project is in the zoning determination phase," he stated. According to him, the company expects to finalize the agreement with the city regarding the placement of the Epic within a few months.

The significant cycle Slav Epic consists of 20 large canvases that Mucha painted over 18 years starting in 1910. Permanent spaces for the Slav Epic have been sought in the metropolis since the beginning of the last century. Prague councilors approved the loan of the canvases to Moravský Krumlov two years ago, where they will be on display until 2026.