At Reynkov's chateau in Petrkov, repairs to the roof and masonry have begun.

Linden Tree - Roof repairs, damaged masonry, and garden fence repairs have started at the Reynkov Castle in Petrkov in the Havlíčkobrod region. Weekend cultural events are held at the site where graphic artist, poet, and translator Bohuslav Reynek lived with his wife, French poet and translator Suzanne Renaud, approximately every two weeks since spring this year. There have already been nearly 2000 visitors in Petrkov this year, said Lucie Tučková, who leads the local Czech-French cultural center.

"After the COVID break, we began regular cultural meetings in April. We organize concerts with singer-songwriters as well as classical music; this year we've hosted performances by, among others, Monika Načeva, Lenka Dusilová, the Škoch brothers, and Karel Vepřek," stated Lucie Tučková. The program also included theatrical performances, lectures, and readings by Czech and French authors. "The audience has also gotten younger, often parents come with their children," she said.

The castle dusted with the first snow opened today two hours after noon, and dozens of people came. After an art workshop for the public, compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Jan Křtitel Vaňhal were played. This time, the author readings were dedicated to the works of contemporary poets Tereza Riedlbauchová and Tereza Šustková. Tučková remembered poet Zbyňek Hejda (1930 to 2013), who was friends with the Reyneks; nine years have passed since his death this Wednesday.

This year, the program in Petrkov will continue on December 10. Exhibitions will also be accessible from December 27 to 30. Meetings will resume in the new year starting January 14.

The house where the Reyneks lived was purchased from their descendants by the state, and it is managed by the Memorial of National Literature. Occasional events have been held there since last June. Last September, people in Petrkov commemorated the 50th anniversary of Bohuslav Reynek's death (1892 to 1971), and this spring marks 130 years since his birth. "Next year will mark a hundred years since the meeting of Bohuslav Reynek and Suzanne Renaud; we will be active both in Petrkov and in France," Tučková noted.

In addition to the cultural events, repairs of the heritage-protected area are beginning in Petrkov, which will cost around two million crowns this year. The center's staff is tending to the garden and its trees. They are preparing more rooms in the castle for hosting exhibitions, and according to Tučková, some of the historical furniture and the piano have already been restored.