Support for the burned-down Libušín cottage is growing, with 1.3 million in the collection

Pustevny (Vsetínsko) - More than 1.3 million crowns have already been contributed to the public collection for the restoration of the burned-down Libušín lodge in Pustevny. The number of donation boxes is also increasing, one of which started operating over the weekend in the neighboring building Maměnka. The Minister of Culture Daniel Herman (KDU-ČSL) also visited Pustevny today to see the site. The damage to Libušín, designed by architect Dušan Jurkovič, is estimated at 80 million crowns.
    "It was important for us that the minister saw with his own eyes what the lodge looks like and its current condition. From the beginning, assistance from the Ministry of Culture has been declared and promised to us. We did not discuss schedules today. In the coming weeks, the building will be covered, and the securing of the building and pre-project preparations are still ongoing,” said Petra Valíčková, spokesperson for the Wallachian Open Air Museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm today to ČTK.
    Representatives of the museum installed a stylish donation box to support the restoration of the burned lodge in the adjacent building; people can also contribute on-site at the museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm and at the local tourist information center. The amount in the account for the public collection is also increasing. "The public's support has surprised us greatly, it spans across the whole country. This testifies to the spirit of solidarity,” Valíčková added.
    The town hall in Valašské Meziříčí will provide an additional 200,000 crowns in the form of a donation to the Wallachian Open Air Museum for the restoration of the lodge. This was decided by the councilors at the end of the week. "Given the extraordinary historical and interregional significance of this architectural work, the town of Valašské Meziříčí is interested in the restoration of this national cultural monument," said Mayor Jiří Částečka (ODS). The town hall stated that it wants to provide 20 cubic meters of spruce logs valued at approximately 40,000 crowns for the restoration of Libušín.
    The restoration of Libušín, which was part of a group of Beskyd Art Nouveau folk buildings and symbols of Pustevny, will be largely covered by insurance. Representatives of the museum did not want to discuss the amount of the insurance today, stating that it will be necessary to wait for the results of the fire investigation. However, additional costs will be incurred, for example, for a new fire protection system or other construction modifications.
    The fire affected this national cultural monument, which served as a restaurant, on the night of March 3. The fire primarily destroyed the right part of Libušín, the artistically significant dining room. The cause of the fire is not yet known, but it is highly likely that it was not caused by a technical fault. Investigators continue to work with the theory of intentional or negligent fire, as the fire could have spread from the external part of the building. The police are still waiting for the results of the expert analyses, which are likely to be known in several weeks or months.
    The building named after the legendary princess Libuše was opened in 1899. The interior was decorated with frescoes and sgraffito featuring motifs from Wallachian and Slovak legends based on designs by Mikoláš Aleš. Unique items included three Art Nouveau chandeliers, a sideboard, a greenhouse, and a clock.