The Central Bohemian representatives approved the purchase of Hrabal's cottage in Kersko

Prague – The Central Bohemian representatives approved today the purchase of the summer house of writer Bohumil Hrabal in Kersko near Nymburk. The regional authority will pay 9.9 million crowns for the building and surrounding land. The aim of the region is to open this place to the public and create an exhibition recalling the writer's life, work, and his relationship with the recreational settlement of Kersko.

The summer house appeared in a real estate agency's offer in the summer, with a selling price of 11.9 million crowns. During subsequent negotiations, the price was successfully lowered. Opposition representative from ANO, Robert Bezděk, pointed out that the usual price in that location would have been even lower, at just under six million crowns. However, the regional councilor for culture, Václav Švenda (Allies), argued that the property has not only construction value but also cultural and historical significance. He considers the final price to be a compromise and appreciated that the interested parties chose the region over private buyers.

"I believe we have made a huge step for the culture of our country," said the governor Petra Pecková (STAN) after today's vote. The signing of the purchase contract should follow, and the acquisition of the summer house is to be financed from this year's budget.

Kersko is part of the municipality of Hradištko in Nymburk. Mayor Vlastimil Šesták (Hradištko and Kersko - My Home) welcomed that the property will come into the ownership of the region and will be accessible to the public. Admirers of Hrabal's work will thus no longer view the summer house only from the street but will also be able to look inside. According to Šesták, the property has been deteriorating since the writer's death, receiving only minimal maintenance. "A wide audience will now know how that Bogan lived there," Šesták appreciated. He added that the municipality would not have the funds to purchase the property.

The new exhibition in Hrabal's summer house will be fully operational in 2024. However, visitors will be able to visit the summer house earlier, for example, during the traditional event Hrabal's Kersko. The exhibition is expected to include Hrabal's personal items and plans to utilize so-called augmented reality, which will enhance the spaces with further interesting features. A new facility with amenities for visitors will also be built on the property.

The preparations for the exhibition and its operation will involve the Polabské museum for the region and the Memorial of National Literature for the Ministry of Culture. The region and the ministry have previously committed to this in a memorandum of cooperation.

In connection with building the new exhibition, Šesták pointed out that parking in the municipality is complicated because it is a frequent destination for tourists. "Especially when there are lockdowns and people go more into nature, the traffic flow through Kersko is poor. Additionally, the road is in a state of emergency," he stated. Švenda told ČTK that the region will address these issues after acquiring the summer house.

Neighbors from the summer house settlement were the inspiration for Hrabal's book "Sněženky," which also inspired the film of the same name directed by Jiří Menzel. The writer bought the summer house in 1965. The childless Hrabals bequeathed the summer house to their neighbors.