The Tomáš Baťa Memorial will commemorate the 130 years of the Baťa company by illuminating the building

Zlín – The Zlín Memorial of Tomáš Baťa will commemorate the 130th anniversary of the Baťa company with special lighting of the building. Saturday, September 21 marks the anniversary of the founding of the Baťa company. The Tomáš Baťa Memorial will commemorate this significant day with a special lighting of the building, which will change its appearance 130 times, said Magdaléna Hladká, the director of the memorial, today to ČTK. The interior of the memorial, into which changing colors will penetrate, will be accessible to visitors.

"The Baťa company played a crucial role in the history of the city of Zlín. By the end of the 19th century, Zlín had just under three thousand inhabitants. In 1932, when Tomáš Baťa died, the population had already exceeded 26,000, thanks to the development of Baťa's factories. This anniversary reminds us of this history and simultaneously highlights the extraordinary personality of Tomáš Baťa, who cared for the city as mayor from 1923," stated deputy mayor of Zlín, Martina Hladíková (ODS).

On the anniversary day, at 19:00, the memorial will glow around its perimeter in the first color. "The color will change symbolically 130 times in a subtle transition every 130 seconds. This variety points to the diversity of Baťa's business. Even though most of us associate his company with shoes, Tomáš and later also Jan Antonín Baťa encompassed literally a colorful range of industries with their activities," said photographer Josef Řezníček, who collaborates with the memorial on the project.

The memorial aims to commemorate significant dates and events rather through artistic concept rather than texts and exhibition panels. "We adhere to the idea of the building's author, František Lýdie Gahura, who spoke of the memorial as a glowing showcase. We are introducing something new into the space, while maintaining its characteristic simplicity," said Hladká.

Visitors will be able to enter the interior from 19:30 to 21:30. According to the organizers, it will be a unique opportunity, especially for photographers and social media users. Admission will be free during this time. "In case of inclement weather, we only ask participants to verify on the memorial's website or social media that the event is not canceled," stated Hladká.

The memorial was built in honor of Tomáš Baťa, the founder of the shoe empire, who died in a plane crash in 1932. The memorial was already completed a year later. The building, which is among the peaks of Zlín's functionalist architecture, was later used by the philharmonic and regional gallery. The city then decided to return the building to its original form and purpose. The public first viewed the memorial after its restoration in 2018. A year later, a model of the Junkers F 13 aircraft, in which Baťa died in the plane crash in Otrokovice, was added.