In Opava's Bredě, a museum of African culture could be established

Opava – In the decaying listed building of the Breda department store in Opava, a Museum of African Culture dedicated to Joy Adams may be established in the future. This was announced to journalists today by MP and Opava councilor Pavel Juříček (ANO). The Opava native, writer, painter, and animal rights advocate became famous mainly for her book "The Story of Lioness Elsa." The city is considering purchasing the building, which is currently part of the bankruptcy estate of entrepreneur Kamil Kolek's liquidated company. Minister of Culture Lubomír Zaorálek (ČSSD) promised today in Opava that the state would assist with the costly reconstruction if the building belonged to the city and there was a meaningful cultural use for it.

At the time of its opening in 1928, Breda was the largest department store in the republic. However, it is now closed and has been deteriorating for a long time. The bankruptcy trustee is offering it for 55 million crowns. "We estimate the repair costs at an additional 300 to 500 million crowns," stated Mayor Tomáš Navrátil (ANO). This is precisely why the city has not seriously considered buying it until now.

That may change now. "If the building is owned by the city and there is a study for its use in the cultural field, such as a cultural center, we can start negotiating seriously and find massive support to get the project into the national investment plan," said Zaorálek.

The mayor indicated that the city will now have a study prepared for the use of the building, which will then be submitted to the Ministry of Culture. According to Juříček, three main steps need to be taken now. "One of the points is the preparation of a project for usability. It could be, for example, a Museum of African Culture dedicated to Joy Adams," he stated. The other steps involve the acquisition of the property and the establishment of a foundation into which the state, or possibly private entities, could invest funds intended for the reconstruction of the listed building.

Once a famous department store, it has been closed for several years. The building, which dates back to 1927 and was created by renovating the original department store, is deteriorating. The company owned by Kamil Kolek is in liquidation. "Everyone can think that Kolek is responsible for everything. But the state of the Breda deeply troubles me," the entrepreneur said today to ČTK. He claims he has been trying in vain for several years to negotiate with the company that purchased his claim to the building. "There was no willingness, and in the end, Breda ended up in bankruptcy," stated Kolek.

The original bankruptcy trustee offered the art nouveau landmark to the city. However, the city council rejected the purchase price of 55 million crowns, arguing that it was too high, especially considering the significant investments needed for the building. Ultimately, no interested parties were found for the mentioned price. The property is still for sale.