In Prague, a museum of totalitarianism will be established; the location has not yet been determined

Prague - A Museum of 20th Century Memory will be established in Prague. Its purpose is to preserve historical memory of key events of the last century related to totalitarian regimes in Czechoslovakia. This was decided today by Prague councilors. The city still needs to find a suitable building for the museum. Dozens of non-governmental organizations are collaborating with the city on the museum's establishment.

"The purpose of establishing this institution is to have an entity that deals with preserving historical memory related to totalitarian regimes. It is a disgrace that we do not have it. Prague can repay a debt that the whole Czech Republic has," said councilor Hana Kordová Marvanová (for STAN). The museum will commemorate the victims and consequences of totalitarianism, encourage their opponents, and urge the upcoming generation to understand totalitarian rule and what leads to it.

Councilors discussed the location of the museum. According to the opposition ODS, it should be located at the base of the former Stalin monument. "Given the kind of institution we are talking about, the location is very important. It should have symbolism so that the younger generation knows what we want to convey," said opposition councilor Alexandra Udženija (ODS).

Councilor Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09) stated that the coalition of Pirates, Prague Sobě (PS), and United Forces for Prague (TOP 09 and STAN) wants to have the museum operational by the end of the election period. "I am not sure we can repair the Stalin monument and open a museum there in three years. For us, when is important, not where," he said.

The location at the base of the monument was questioned by Deputy Mayor of Prague 7 and councilor Lenka Burgerová (PS). According to her, the repair is financially and time-consuming and there is a building moratorium on the site. "The territorial study would take two years, how long the remediation is, that is a question. It would have to be reclassified and brought in line with current standards," she said. Additionally, the operation of the museum would negatively affect the park's operation. According to the mayor of Prague 7, Jan Čižinský (Prague Sobě), the park is not suited for that.

The underground of the monument is in a deplorable state and the repair could take up to eight years, according to councilor Jan Chabr (TOP 09). "Any quick remediation is not possible," he said. Therefore, Prague is looking for other locations. One of them is a villa on Dělostřelecká street, where the Gestapo gathering place was located, and the Soviet counterintelligence Smersh was based there. The villa belongs to the state and the city would have to exchange it with the state or purchase it.

The institution will operate on the principles of a museum, which will create collections and also hold exhibitions, educational events, record the memories of witnesses, or organize training, conferences, and workshops. It will collaborate with domestic and foreign experts and institutions. The museum will be managed by a seven-member board, appointed by the founder, which is the capital city.