Prague is considering the construction of an exhibition hall at Letná near the metronome

Concert Hall for Prague, Mirek Pazdera, Atelier Ondřej Císler, FA ČVUT

Prague - Prague is considering the construction of a new multifunctional gallery for modern art. It could be built in Letná next to the metronome, at the site where Stalin's statue used to stand. Mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO) said this at a meeting with journalists today. She intends to announce an international competition for the design of the gallery. Krnáčová does not plan to continue with the previous political representation's plans, which spoke of constructing a concert hall.
    The costs for the construction of the exhibition hall should be covered by the state, according to Krnáčová, while Prague would take care of the land. Letná is one of several identified locations. However, the mayor did not want to mention other places. She reportedly discusses the plan with the National Gallery, which would be responsible for operating the new spaces. Whether Mucha's Slav Epic, which the author dedicated to Prague on the condition that a dignified hall would be built for it, could potentially be moved into the building in the future, the mayor could not say.
    The director of the National Gallery in Prague, Jiří Fajt, has been discussing the intention to build a new building for the institution since he took office about a year ago. The NG has six facilities for its collections and exhibitions, but none of them were created directly for the needs of the gallery; they originally had different functions. The idea of building a new structure accompanies considerations about whether NG will remain in the Trade Fair Palace, where it currently presents art from the 20th and 21st centuries, which, however, needs an expensive renovation. According to Fajt, the new building should host contemporary and modern art, including 19th-century art, where modernism has its roots and which, according to him, is today absurdly divided in exhibitions.
    In the past months, Fajt has advocated for the new construction, and Miroslav Rovenský (KDU-ČSL), the deputy minister of culture for the area of live arts, also spoke about it - as a multifunctional building for contemporary art, including, for instance, a concert hall. Rovenský left the ministry in April. This week, Jiří Fajt presented his development concept for NG until 2020 and admitted that for the current needs of NG and the Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Trade Fair Palace would be adequate after thorough renovation. However, he is not abandoning the idea of a new building.
    According to the mayor, the intention to build a modern opera house in Prague has fallen through. "We believe that there is no need to further develop this area. Prague has the same number of concert halls as Vienna," she added. According to earlier plans, the hall could have been located on Štvanice Island.