In the Liberec People's Gardens, the region wants to build a music center for 200 million CZK

Liberec - The Music and Cultural Creative Center plans to build the Liberec Region in the historic site of the Liberec People's Gardens. It is requesting a grant of nearly 200 million crowns from the National Recovery Plan for the project. It could receive up to 121 million crowns, and in that case, it would need to pay 79 million from its own funds, said Jiří Ulvr (Mayors for the Liberec Region), the councilor for development, who presented the material, at today's meeting of the regional council.

The councilors today approved the necessary commitment of the region to co-finance and pre-finance the project. However, according to Ulvr, it is not certain whether the region will succeed with its grant application. "The Ministry of Culture divided the funds directly among the regions, which means it amounts to about 156 million crowns for the Liberec Region, and we already know that there are applications for grants for three projects," added the councilor. Among other things, the city of Liberec is also applying for a grant to transform the former Linser foundry in the lower center into a cultural creative center.

The People's Gardens are located in close proximity to the zoo area and have been significant cultural centers in Liberec since the late 19th century when a large garden restaurant stood on the site. The current romantic Art Nouveau appearance of the building is the result of a project by architect Jakob Schmeissner from 1900 to 1901. The listed building features a large social hall and a 35-meter-high observation tower. Today, the center offers music and dance events, exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and other cultural programs, and it houses the management of the zoological garden.

The Liberec Region took over the building from the city of Liberec at the beginning of this year along with the zoo. "The zoological garden has already carried out partial renovations of the facade, tower, anteroom, and garden restaurant in the past, but it is also necessary to improve the quality of the interiors. We want to create a modern cultural center here that will provide space for concerts, performances of various genres, discussions and lectures, as well as facilities for music education and for local bands," added Deputy Governor Květa Vinklátová (Mayors for the Liberec Region).

If the region succeeds with its grant application, the project must be completed by September 2025 at the latest, according to Ulvr.