The representatives of Moravský Krumlov approved the contract for the epic

Moravian Krumlov - The representatives of Moravian Krumlov approved a contract for a future agreement regarding the loan of the Slav Epic to Moravian Krumlov, with 16 out of 18 voting in favor. The necessary adjustments to the space will be completed by the end of this year. This was stated today by the mayor of the city, Tomáš Třetina (TOP 09), in a press release.

"I am very pleased that we have finally managed to discuss and approve the contract. It was supposed to be on the agenda much earlier, but since we were affected by the coronavirus pandemic, we had to focus on other, more urgent obligations," Třetina stated.

The paintings are currently in the depository of the Gallery of the Capital City of Prague. Last October, Prague approved the loan of the cycle for five years to the castle in Moravian Krumlov, where the paintings were displayed until 2011. During the loan period, the problem with the missing space in Prague should be resolved. However, a condition for the loan of the artwork is the completion of the adjustments to the castle in Moravian Krumlov.

According to the mayor, a contract has already been concluded with the contractor for the space adjustments, and the financing has also been resolved. "We expect that the necessary adjustments to the space will be completed by the end of this year. The Epic will contribute significantly to the revitalization of the region, and it will be very important to support the entire region, the business sector, and tourism during the 'post-coronavirus' period," Třetina stated.

The cycle consists of 20 large canvases, which Mucha painted for 18 years starting in 1910 and dedicated to Prague. The first 11 canvases of the epic were exhibited in 1919 at the Clementinum in Prague, and from 1920 to 1921, they garnered success at exhibitions in New York and Chicago. The entire epic was first exhibited in 1928 at the Trade Fair Palace in Prague, and the paintings came under the administration of the Gallery of the Capital City of Prague. In 1933, the canvases were stored in the depository. They were exhibited in 1963 at the castle in Moravian Krumlov. However, after 1989, the castle fell into disrepair. In 2011, the paintings were removed by the then leadership of Prague.