Rest in peace, the Thermal Hotel wishes

During the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the Thermal Hotel, its main venue, changes beyond recognition each time. The festival is preceded by intensive cleaning of the premises, which at least partially conceals the poor state of the building and the pool. For several years, there has been talk of a fundamental reconstruction that this complex undeniably needs. However, the reconstruction projects have long overlooked the architectural significance of the building, which is among the most important representatives of late modern architecture in the Czech Republic.
This is asserted by the grandchildren of the Machonin couple, Jan and Marie Kordovská, who, with their association Respekt Madam, are hosting a supplementary program for the festival for the fourth time this year. There, they inform the public about the architecture of the Thermal Hotel and its prospects for the future.
“Last year we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Thermal Hotel; this year we only wish it a peaceful rest. The year 2017 was not good for Thermal. Despite the recommendations of the expert commission of the Ministry of Culture, former Minister Herman did not declare Thermal a heritage site, thus allowing the current hotel management to reconstruct the interiors without regard to the original concepts,” asserts the granddaughter of the Machonin couple, Marie Kordovská. “At the same time, the management of Thermal, which is state property, has completely stopped caring for the pool. It is long-term deteriorating and is now inhabited by squatters. Hopes are fading ever more quickly that it will be possible to reconstruct it so that it serves not only the hotel guests but mainly the public, as it was originally intended.”

Rest in Peace
This year, the main component of the supplementary program Respekt Madam is the #RIPTHERMAL campaign. The Kordovský siblings will be handing out paper figures of negative film heroes, with which people can take photos as if they were destroying Thermal. The photos are then to be shared on social networks. The program of the Respekt Madam association will take place every day from Tuesday, July 3, until the end of the festival. There will be three guided tours of the area around Thermal, describing the architecture of Thermal in the context of its time and recalling its original appearance. Two of them will be led by the grandchildren themselves, who will intersperse their narration with quotes and opinions of architect Věra Machoninová. The last tour will be led by architect Adam Gebrian.
At the same time, Respekt Madam is organizing, in cooperation with Aeroport club, a meeting and subsequent party, where it will be possible to discuss the current state of the hotel in a relaxed atmosphere and find out what is currently planned for the building. Last but not least, Respekt Madam calls on the local residents of Karlovy Vary to meet with them and share their memories of Thermal in its original state, and possibly bring their own photographs taken during its heyday.

A Reminder of the Atmosphere of the 1960s
The Machonin couple designed the Thermal Hotel in the 1960s, during a time of relaxed political atmosphere. They had the opportunity not only to seek inspiration abroad, but also the loosening conditions in the country allowed them to express current ideas of freedom and hope through their architecture. Elevated designs, spacious interiors, custom furniture, and airy connections between the interior and exterior through large-format glass indicated the need for transparency, the possibility of dialogue, and the free flow of ideas among people.
The Machonins also used inventive materials for their time, which they learned about on their study trips or at the Research Institute of Materials. Today, these details are hard to find in the hotel’s interior, but the Respekt Madam association recalls them with period photographs at their events.

Program:

July 5, 20:30 Respekt Madam vs. Aeroport
Come join us for an informal discussion about the current state of the Thermal Hotel and raise a glass to how far it has come.

July 6, 17:00 Meeting with the Karlovy Vary Residents
Do you have old photos of the Thermal Hotel at home? Did you go on your first date in the pool café? Did you work at the hotel before? We would love to talk with you and find out what it was like in Thermal before it started to be demolished.

July 7, 14:00 Guided Walk with Adam Gebrian