The grandson of Mucha has plans for the construction of a pavilion for the epic investor

Prague - The grandson of Alphonse Mucha, John, has a private investor lined up for the construction of a new pavilion for the Slav Epic in Letná. The investor would cover both the construction and operation of the pavilion, Mucha told ČTK. Prague held talks with Mucha's grandson this week. While the capital would prefer to see the Slav Epic at Vítkov, Mucha would rather have it at Letná. Mucha also presented new studies for the placement of the pavilion at Letná and Těšnov to the city.
The entry of a private investor could help the project. "This would significantly save money from the city treasury, which could be used for other projects aimed at the development of Prague," says Mucha. Prague Councilor for Culture Ondřej Pecha (ODS) suggested this week to Mucha the placement of the pavilion for the epic at Vítkov. "According to the zoning plan, this option is one of the few possible ones," Pecha told ČTK. The city reportedly commissioned a study only for this location; however, according to Mucha, both sides had previously agreed that studies would also be carried out for Tešnov, Letná, and Old Town Square. "Only after the studies were completed should the most adequate location and the most dignified building be selected," insists Mucha. Pecha therefore promised Mucha that the city would also investigate the placement of the pavilion at Letná, which Mucha is advocating for.
In an interview in today's edition of the E15 newspaper, Mucha stated that he does not rule out Vítkov, but the promised patron would not want to fund this option, as the location is reportedly poorly accessible for him. Mucha estimates the costs for the pavilion at 400 to 500 million crowns.
The city also suggested that other exhibitions could be held in the new pavilion. However, Mucha does not like this idea. "This is absolutely unacceptable. The Epic should be placed alone; it definitely should not be accompanied by other exhibitions," Mucha stated.
John Mucha compares the creation of a new gallery for the Slav Epic to the Vincent van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. "Every Dutch person and every tourist who spent more than one day in Amsterdam has likely visited it," Mucha noted.
Regarding the location of the epic, which has been displayed at the Moravský Krumlov Castle for decades, John Mucha's half-sister, Jarmila Mucha Plocková, has reportedly also shown interest at the Prague city hall. According to Mladá fronta Dnes, she would actually prefer the exhibition of the epic at Vítkov.
Alphonse Mucha donated a cycle of 20 canvases with themes from Slavic history to Prague with the condition that a new building would be constructed for them. Mucha's grandson would like to see the new gallery in Prague by 2015. If this does not happen, he admits that he might start negotiating with other cities in the Czech Republic.
The Epic has been located at the Krumlov Castle for over 45 years. Moravský Krumlov has the paintings of the Slav Epic on loan from Prague, which has already extended the loan agreement several times.