The project of the exhibition on Czech-German relations in Ústí has not moved forward

Ústí nad Labem - There is still no exhibition about the German-speaking inhabitants of the Czech lands in the Ústí museum, and construction has not yet begun. The estimated cost of realization is about 50 million crowns. The original opening date was scheduled for 2012. The city is seeking a solution to fulfill the plan. This was stated by the director of the museum and councilor for culture Miroslav Král (independent).
    The non-profit organization Collegium Bohemicum submitted the project documentation in October 2012, and nothing has happened since then. A public competition for the realization has not yet taken place. "The city is certainly interested in having the planned exhibition realized, although there are certain doubts about the budget for the entire project," said Král. The state has committed to financially support the establishment of the exhibition, but it has not been specified when and to what extent.
    Ústí received a European grant of 336 million crowns for the reconstruction of the museum building, and the condition for this was the establishment of the exhibition on Czech-German relations. The renovation cost 446.7 million crowns and took five and a half years. If the exhibition does not materialize, the city risks having to return the European grant. The police investigated the museum's renovation due to alleged overpricing, but the case has since been shelved.
    The exhibition should not address Czech-German relations in general, but the history of coexistence between Czech and German-speaking populations in the territory of today's Czech Republic. The exhibition by Collegium Bohemicum is planned to cover over 1500 m² out of a total of 2150 m² of exhibition space.
    The stagnation of the project complicates the work of the entire museum. "We are often the ones who create a buffer zone of dissatisfied German visitors who seek the repeatedly mentioned and praised, but unfortunately non-existent, exhibition about Germans in the Czech lands," explained the director. There are also problems in planning exhibition activities and long-term events. "It is necessary to constantly take into account that Collegium Bohemicum will suddenly receive funds, and thus the entire previous museum life will cease," added Král.
    The city, which is struggling with debt repayment, does not have the funds for the establishment of the exhibition. If it becomes evident, according to Král, that it is not possible to realize the project to the given extent, the city will pursue a more modest approach. If the requirement remains at 50 million crowns, according to Král, the state is the only one who can provide funding for the project. "The state has also strongly declared several times that the institution Collegium Bohemicum is important to it from the perspective of foreign policy," reminded the director.
    The museum is currently preparing a permanent exhibition about Ústí nad Labem, of which 400 m² is still available.
    Collegium Bohemicum, which deals with Czech-German relations and the cultural heritage of the German-speaking inhabitants of the Czech lands, currently organizes and supports various cultural events, holds seminars and lectures, supports research projects, issues scholarships, and organizes educational projects.