The main hall of the Zlín Congress Center bears the name of its creator Eva Jiřičná

Zlín – The main hall of the Zlín Congress Center is now named after Eva Jiřičná. The architect is the author of the center, which opened in 2010 and became one of the landmarks of the regional city. "It was one of the most amazing collaborations I've experienced," Jiřičná told reporters today in Zlín. The native of Zlín celebrated her 85th birthday over the weekend, and the city, together with the Zlín Region and Tomas Bata University in Zlín (UTB), prepared a Concert for Eva Jiřičná for today. The Zlín Philharmonic Orchestra, which is based in the Congress Center, will perform at the festive evening.

The main concert hall, previously known as the Great Hall, is now designated as the Eva Jiřičná Hall. "I am very happy that it looks the way it does. Everything is clean, every detail is maintained. An architect cannot be more grateful than when someone takes care of their building," said Jiřičná, who thanked her collaborators. "Before a building is constructed, a huge team is needed. I have my name here, as if I did something by myself. A tremendous number of people contributed to the project," Jiřičná said. Near the Congress Center, the University Center was created earlier according to her design, and later she also designed the nearby Educational Complex and the renovation of the auditorium on Mostní Street for the university.

In the hall that bears her name, she recalled how they tested the acoustics, for example, or created 85 models for wall cladding. "Many incidents come to mind, including how there was a cuckoo here that survived on a crane all winter and raised its chicks here," said Jiřičná.

The small hall of the Congress Center has been named after the late former mayor of Zlín, Irena Ondrová (ODS), who advocated for the establishment of the center. "She was a woman who, once she had something in her head, would not let it go. Without her and Petr Sáha (the former rector of UTB), this project would never have materialized," Jiřičná stated.

"Eva Jiřičná and Irena Ondrová significantly contributed to the establishment of the Congress Center, which has been one of the new landmarks of the city since 2010. Both women rightfully deserve the naming of the halls. I am very glad that it was precisely the Zlín patriot Eva Jiřičná who designed this timeless building for our city," said Zlín Mayor Jiří Korec (ANO). The city wants to collaborate with Jiřičná on the upcoming expansion of the Congress Center and the renovation of its restaurant.

The Zlín Region decided to award Jiřičná with a decoration. "Few natives of the Zlín Region have achieved such renown in the world through their work as Mrs. Eva Jiřičná. With her immense diligence, creativity, and vision, this first lady of Czech architecture is an inspiration for us all. Therefore, the Council of the Zlín Region decided to award Professor Jiřičná the Merit Award of the 1st Degree for her extraordinary merits in the field of architecture and design and for outstanding representation of the Zlín Region on the occasion of her life anniversary," stated Governor Radim Holiš (ANO). The highest decoration of the Zlín Region has previously been awarded to the founder of Zlín ophthalmology Karel Kuběna, traveler Miroslav Zikmund, and the Zátopek couple.

Jiřičná often reminisces about Zlín, where she spent her childhood. "I had friends here, distant relatives, memories. For example, how I sat on my father's shoulders when Zátopek ran his first race and won. My mom said: He won't get far, look at how he's breathing," Jiřičná recalled. The architect also promotes the city beyond its borders. "Anyone who knows me outside the borders of the Czech Republic knows that there is a city called Zlín, and knows what it is famous for," Jiřičná stated.