Completing the reconstruction of the cinema foyer in Liberec is assisted by volunteers

Liberec - With the help of volunteers, the final phase of the renovation of the dilapidated Varšava cinema foyer began today in Liberec. The project aims to bring life back to the oldest stone cinema in the city. Work will take place every weekend at least until the end of November, said Petr Hubáček, a member of the association Save Varšava Cinema, to ČTK. The association has rented the cinema from the city for seven years.
    Varšava was closed six years ago, shortly after celebrating its hundredth anniversary. At that time, the city hall did not have funds for the estimated 80 million crowns renovation, and two multiplexes were also established in Liberec, marking the end of all single-screen cinemas in the city. Nevertheless, the association believes that screenings can be successfully restored in Varšava, and the building could function as a multipurpose cultural center. They first plan to open a café in the foyer this year or at the beginning of next year. "We want this space to start living, breathing, and for people to see that something is happening here," Hubáček stated.
    Work began in the summer. "We have new sewage, air conditioning, electrical, water systems, and especially heating, which is fundamental," added another member of the association, Ondřej Pleštil. For the initial phase, the association received a grant of 2.1 million crowns from the city and the region, but this is not enough to cover all costs. "It is necessary to finalize the interior of the foyer and the first floor independently so that a bar, tables, chairs, and all the necessary equipment can be installed," Hubáček detailed. Organizers welcome anyone willing to help. Interested individuals can register via the cinema's Facebook page or email kinovarsava@gmail.com.
    The association also plans another stage of repairs, which should concern the auditorium. It is estimated that about five million crowns are needed for its restoration, and the association intends to raise the funds through a collection. Initially, the association wanted to renovate Varšava with the help of a European grant. However, they withdrew from the 20 million crown project last year because the funds would not cover the complete renovation of the building. About 30 to 40 million crowns are needed.
    Although the conditions in the cinema do not favor screenings yet, next weekend it will host echoes of the Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival. "It will be evening screenings of six of the best films from the recently concluded Ji.Hlava 2014 festival, including discussions with the directors. Along with Prague and Brno, we were selected for cooperation as the only other city in the Czech Republic, which we appreciate," Hubáček added.