Pleskot: The SmetaNew Hall in Litomyšl will connect modernity with history

Prague - SmetaNew Hall in the second courtyard of the Litomyšl Castle, where performances of the Smetana Litomyšl festival will take place, will connect modern architecture with history. The first visitors are expected to become acquainted with it next June during the 67th edition of the National Smetana Litomyšl Festival. Architect Josef Pleskot, who designed the SmetaNew Hall project, informed journalists about this today. According to him, the new concert hall, which will replace the provisional multifunctional hall, will be a reflection of respect for the place, music, and the people who come for cultural experiences.

The organizers of the festival want to raise funds from donors and sponsors for the project costing 60 to 70 million Czech crowns without VAT. They have secured about half of the funding. They hope to start construction of the concert hall in mid-April, while the festival will begin on June 14. According to festival representatives, the structure is to be built for the duration of the festival, and the courtyard will remain empty in the other months of the year.

SmetaNew Hall will be new not only because of its mobile roofing, which will retract in case of rain. The structure will not encroach upon the monument-protected castle. It will be a comprehensive installation of a new stage that will not touch the walls of the castle, featuring a modern stage and auditorium, as well as stands on the castle's galleries. Audience members will sit in an auditorium divided into two slightly angled sections. New seats will also be created in the arcades, accommodating up to 1,300 visitors. Pleskot's design includes a center aisle in the auditorium, offering arriving visitors a view of the sgraffito.

"As the administrators of the national cultural monument - Litomyšl Castle entered in the UNESCO World Heritage List - we are pleased that a solution has been found that respects the valuable historical environment, its uniqueness, and the need for enhanced protection," stated Miloš Kadlec from the National Heritage Institute. "A stage is emerging in Litomyšl that will be unique not only in the Czech Republic but also in Europe due to its technical and aesthetic qualities," Pleskot announced.

Festival director Michal Medek said today that the project is practically completed at this point. "Technical details are being fine-tuned, we are preparing documentation for selecting a contractor, and the second round of archaeological research is ongoing at the castle to avoid damaging some valuable artifacts," he mentioned.

About a quarter of the festival's costs are secured from the region, Litomyšl, and the Ministry of Culture, with additional funds coming from the main sponsor. Besides major donors, audience members can also participate in the investment by purchasing seats for 5,000 to 50,000 crowns. They will have priority access and will enjoy discounted ticket purchases for three years.