Brno presents itself in New York with the help of the Tugendhat villa

photo: David Židlický

New York - The Moravian metropolis Brno is currently presenting itself in New York as a city and a place for business. It is supported by an exhibition in the Czech National Building in Manhattan dedicated to Brno’s functionalism, particularly the recently reconstructed Tugendhat villa. On Monday, lectures and a documentary film from Czech Television brought the famous building by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe closer to the audience. Today, a seminar will follow on business and scientific research opportunities in Brno.
    Marie Zezůlková from the Brno city hall told ČTK that connecting cultural heritage with current opportunities is a trend that cities are using to attract new investments. The project, which was created in cooperation with the New York General Consulate, has also attracted American companies that are already operating in Brno.
    "It’s quite an interesting way for them to show their parent companies in the USA what Brno actually is and what potential it has," said Zezůlková. She added that the American company Honeywell is, for example, not only manufacturing in the Moravian metropolis but is also moving research there.
    The two-day presentation in New York is intended to help Brno find new partners and deepen relationships with current ones. Today, the city will introduce potential investors to its development potential, as well as key projects built in cooperation with American companies or connected to American partners. These include, for example, the International Clinical Research Center being built in partnership with the famous American Mayo Clinic, as well as the Central European Institute of Technology.
    "In the strong competition among cities, the genius loci of the respective location, its infrastructure, connection to historical traditions, culture, in short, everything that makes a city a pleasant place to live, is often a decisive factor. We are convinced that we have something to offer precisely in these areas," said Brno's Mayor Roman Onderka earlier, who ultimately could not attend the event in New York due to illness.
    The Tugendhat villa has been opened to the public this year after a challenging reconstruction. The heritage restoration began in January 2010 and lasted for about two years. The renovation costs reached 174 million crowns. Tugendhat is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.