The major reconstruction of the Varšava cinema in Liberec will begin in September and will last over a year

Liberec - The reconstruction of the Varšava cinema, the oldest and only single-screen cinema in Liberec, costing nearly 62 million crowns, will start in September and will last more than a year. The contract for the renovation of the municipal building was awarded to the firm CL-EVANS, which was the only bidder in the competition. Liberec Mayor Jaroslav Zámečník (Mayors for the Liberec Region) informed journalists about this.

"This was the second tender. In the first round in June, we did not receive an offer," said the mayor. For the repeatedly announced contract, the city hall increased the maximum allowed price by seven million and also eased the conditions for bidding. CL-EVANS' offer was just below the maximum allowed price, and no one else applied. "We are very glad that a contractor at least has been found," added Zámečník. The renovation of the listed cinema will be partially financed from a European grant, covering two-thirds of the costs.

The cinema hall and interiors are set to undergo a major renovation in the coming months, including new air conditioning, electrical installations, and stage technology. The reconstruction will also involve the repair of the facade and the area in front of the cinema, as well as the replacement of water and sewage systems, heating, and the repair of waterproofing and drainage systems.

The history of the Varšava cinema on Frýdlantská Street dates back to 1908. Originally a one-story cinema, it was replaced in 1922 by a grand building in the then modern art-deco style. Subsequently, the building underwent several renovations, and it has had its current appearance since 1965. The cinema faced closure 16 years ago when the city shut it down due to a lack of funds for renovation and competition from newly built multiplexes. However, in 2014, its operation was resumed by a group of enthusiasts associated in an association that leased Varšava from the city.

Interest in the cinema has been growing in recent years. "After COVID, we started functioning normally again, and attendance is on the rise. Last year we had 20,000 visitors; this year, in the first half, nearly 12,000," said Ondřej Pleštil, the director of the Varšava cinema association, to ČTK today. He welcomed that the reconstruction will finally begin. "After many years, this is the culmination of our association's efforts," he added.

Although no shows will be screened in Varšava during the summer holidays, the association's members are expecting a busy end of summer. "We have to vacate everything by the end of August," Pleštil stated. According to him, it seems they have found a use for the seats from the cinema hall, which were donated to the cinema from a theater several years ago when they replaced them with new ones. "It looks like Anifilm may use them, which would be the best outcome," Pleštil added. According to him, the seats will likely be transported to the city castle, where the organizers of the international animated film festival Anifilm have their facilities.