Brno commemorates 90 years since Janáček's death, building a hall and a museum

Brno - The ninetieth anniversary of Leoš Janáček's death was commemorated today in Brno. Politicians from the city hall and other people gathered at his grave in the Central Cemetery. Mayor Petr Vokřál (ANO) told ČTK that a Janáček museum should be established in the Chlebodár villa in the future. Deputy Matěj Hollan (Žít Brno) reminded that the city is also building a concert hall named the Janáček Cultural Center.

In addition to Vokřál and Hollan, the memorial included, for example, the rector of Masaryk University, Mikuláš Bek, and Jiří Zahrádka, head of the music history department at the Moravian Museum, spoke about Janáček.

Janáček worked in Brno. "He is connected to Brno just like other greats. We should remember them because abroad they often know more about them than we do," Vokřál said. According to him, it is important to accept a commitment on this anniversary. "I hope that in the next electoral term we will build adequate infrastructure for this giant as a museum, so that we can be proud of it," Vokřál added.

He stated that the city is negotiating with the church about a possible exchange of the Chlebodár villa, where the museum could be established. According to Vokřál, once the city potentially acquires it, it will need reconstruction, and then a composer’s museum could be created in it. The mayor expects that it would require millions of crowns. "If everything goes well, the museum could be completed in 2020 or 2021," he added.

Hollan said that the museum could offer photographs and information about Janáček, as well as his lifetime work. According to him, Janáček had neither a predecessor nor a successor; his work was exceptional. Hollan also reminded that the city is building a concert hall named the Janáček Cultural Center. The underground garages have been built, and other necessary matters are currently being processed. According to Vokřál, it still holds that the government has allocated money in the state budget to contribute to the construction costs. The hall is estimated to cost 1.3 billion crowns, with about 100 million from the region, and the rest will be evenly divided between the city and the state.

Janáček was born on July 3, 1854, in Hukvaldy and died on August 12, 1928, in Ostrava. However, he worked for a long time in Brno, where his body was transferred and where he is also buried.