<Třinecká radnice> will announce a collection for the restoration of the burned church

Třinec - The Třinec city hall will announce a public collection on Wednesday for the restoration of the burned-down 16th-century church in Gutech, which was intentionally set on fire by three young men last week. This was confirmed today by Třinec mayor Věra Palkovská at an extraordinary city council meeting. However, the regional office must also approve the collection beforehand.

"The city council agrees to hold a public collection for the restoration of the church. We expect the regional office's approval on Tuesday. Then we will publish the account number on Wednesday. The money collected will only be used for the restoration of the church," Palkovská said. According to her, there will be no financial limit for the collection. The expected costs for the restoration will come from a completed project.

The mayor is already recording significant interest from potential donors. "Representatives from surrounding towns and companies are contacting me, expressing their wish to contribute, as well as private individuals from the Czech Republic and Slovakia," she stated. She will also meet with the bishop on Wednesday. "We want to discuss how the city can be beneficial. It's not just about money," she added.

According to Palkovská, donors can also contribute on September 24, when the traditional charity Concert of the Heart of Europe will take place in Třinec, featuring artists such as Michal Hrůza and his band. "This year, the concert will be dedicated to the restoration of the church. Company representatives will be able to hand over checks directly to the bishop. Small donors will be able to contribute into donation boxes," she mentioned.

The restoration of the wooden church is welcomed by the director of the National Heritage Institute Ostrava, Michal Zezula. "It will be the best way to mitigate the damages caused," he stated. The project for the restoration will be handled by the property owner, namely the bishopric. "It is expected that a team that worked on the restoration of the church in Ostrava-Hrabová will take on the task," he said. At that time, craftsmen did a good job, even though it was the first time they collaborated on such a project, he added.

Zezula and his team were on site within the first hours after the fire. Even today, they consult individual steps with the bishopric. According to Zezula, it is possible that some elements not destroyed by the fire will be used in the construction of the new church. "For example, it could be window and door fittings or other metal items," he said.

The fire destroyed the wooden church in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, August 2. On Saturday, the District Court in Frýdek-Místek remanded two young men, who were charged with deliberately setting it on fire. The third accused remains at liberty. According to the prosecutor, they could continue their activities. One of the perpetrators had identified at least one more sacred monument as a target. The motive for the act is still unclear.