The Čapek Brothers' cottage in Budislava received one million crowns for repairs

Budislav (Svitavy) - The house of the Čapek brothers in Budislav, Svitavy region, which is in a state of disrepair, has received one million crowns for repairs from the Pardubice region. The house belongs to the Czech Centre of the International PEN Club and has been a cultural monument since 2000, said governor Martin Netolický (ČSSD) to ČTK. The cottage was established at the end of the 1930s at the initiative of writer Karel Čapek.
    The wooden cottage stands on a stone foundation, has two floors and four projecting loggias. It has been closed since last year. "We would like to open the building to the public so that we can present Karel Čapek in a way that is not very well known, such as through a thematic exhibition 'Karel Čapek - Photographer,'" said the governor.
    Last year, the PEN Club ensured the most necessary repairs. It was necessary to replace the unsatisfactory floors on the terraces, to secure the replacement and restoration of non-functional water and heating systems, and to replace the non-functional sewage pipes. In the future, the building must still be dried out, and further moisture spread must be prevented. Plans include draining water from the basements or installing drainage pipes around the building.
    "We are attacking the repairs, using volunteers. I am very glad that the cottage has started to be talked about more, that people are interested. If it could reopen next season, I would be very happy. Hopefully, additional funds can be found. The cottage will start generating income, and there could be funds for the surrounding neglected plots of land," said the cottage manager Štěpán Heger to ČTK.
    "The house of the Čapek brothers was originally intended for the work, meetings, and relaxation of Czech writers, and the goal of the Czech Centre of the International PEN Club is for it to continue serving its original purpose in the future," said Netolický.
    The PEN Club financed the cottage from the proceeds of the 16th Congress, and Karel Čapek himself contributed to its construction. For a long time, it was believed that the object was designed by the artist and writer Josef Čapek, but the author of the cottage is Stanislav Tobek, a student of Josef Gočár. Tobek designed a number of Sokol halls, school buildings, and gymnasiums.