The director of the NPÚ dismissed her deputy for monument management

Prague - At the end of May, Petr Fedor will end his role as deputy director of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), who was responsible for the management of heritage sites. NPÚ director Naďa Goryczková dismissed him due to her long-term dissatisfaction with the management of his section, spokesperson for NPÚ Simona Juračková told ČTK today. The management of the heritage site management section will temporarily be overseen by economic deputy Oldřich Pešek until a new deputy is selected.

"Already at the end of last year, we had discussions about the scope of work of my section. In recent months, it became clear that our visions were diverging," Fedor told ČTK today. He views his dismissal more as a relief, as he previously felt he was performing his job responsibly and to the satisfaction of the management. It is not yet clear whether he will remain with NPÚ. "I have known for about an hour... I have worked in NPÚ for nearly 25 years. I believe that my experience and knowledge in the field will still find a place," he said.

NPÚ is a contributory organization of the Ministry of Culture with an annual turnover of over one billion crowns. It also has the highest self-sufficiency among thirty such organizations, with revenues from entrance fees, rentals, or filming constituting more than 45 percent of the institution's budget. A record number of people visited castles, chateaus, and other heritage sites under state management last year - more than five million.

Fedor was one of three deputies in the NPÚ management, the others being the deputy for heritage care and the operational and economic deputy. Fedor held the position since June 1, 2013, when the institute received a new organizational structure. Fedor replaced Petr Svoboda at that time. Goryczková stated at his appointment that "she chose the candidate for this position not only for his expertise and managerial skills but also with regard to his experience in managing heritage sites, which is essential for the performance of this role."

The reorganization of NPÚ brought about a significant change at the beginning of 2013 with the establishment of four new regional offices based in Prague, České Budějovice, Sychrov, and Kroměříž. Because of this, Goryczková’s position was temporarily threatened, as she has led NPÚ since 2008 and advocated for it.

Critics considered the establishment of regional offices to be unnecessary, pointing out that only recently was the creation of regional workplaces completed so that there was one in each region. They also feared that the step could lead to a separation of the professional activities of heritage experts and the management of heritage sites. Goryczková has stated and continues to state that the reorganization of NPÚ will lead to improved care for heritage sites, clearer delineation of budgetary rules and financing, and more effective management of funds.

Fedor has been working for NPÚ and its predecessors since 1992. He started as a seasonal guide, then as a maintenance worker, and finally as the head of visitor operations at the state castle of Pernštejn. In December 1995, he became the castle keeper of the state chateau of Bučovice, and since 2001 he has been the castle keeper of the state castle of Veveří.