Baťa Institute will offer guided tours of Baťa architecture

Zlín - Zlín's Baťa Institute will once again offer guided bus tours called Discover Baťa Architecture in the city of Zlín this year. The first tour will take place on April 23 after the winter break. There will also be a video mapping projection at the Baťa Institute on April 29. It will showcase how students from the Faculty of Applied Informatics at Zlín University see the city of Zlín, stated Alena Babicová, the institute's spokesperson.

Last year, six guided tours of Baťa architecture for the public were held from April to September. "Nearly 150 people participated. The number of participants is limited by the bus capacity. The greatest interest was last year during the summer months," Babicová noted.

"I am glad that we can again offer visitors the popular guided bus tours. During the approximately two-hour ride through Zlín, participants will become acquainted with Baťa architecture, significant personalities, buildings, and also with the history of the city of Zlín through the captivating narration of the curator of the Regional Gallery of Fine Arts in Zlín," said the institute's director, Lucie Pluhařová.

The curator provides commentary at the sites and during the bus ride. The tour starts at the former Baťa factory complex near the Baťa Institute, where people can see the residential neighborhoods of Zálešná and Podvesná, the Tower and Morýs houses. "The bus then continues through Obeciny, around the current Small Scene to the Collective House and the villa of Jan Antonín Baťa, where the last guided stop is. The tour route ends with a ride through the náměstí Práce with the Tomáš Baťa Memorial, the Department Store, and Gahur's Prospect," Babicová added. Tickets can be purchased online or at the reception of the Baťa Institute. The next guided tour will be on May 28.

For the video mapping projections, the institute collaborates with the Faculty of Applied Informatics. "Visitors can enjoy a light show, and students have the opportunity to practice the skills they have acquired on the technical equipment of the 14|15 Baťa Institute, which is not usually accessible. This year's sixth edition of student work, subtitled Zlín: Historical, Inspiring, and Motivating, will offer new competitive student projections. This event will take place in any weather, and entrance is free," Babicová stated.