The renovation of the Warsaw cinema in Liberec has started, but there is currently no money for the hall

Liberec - In Liberec, the renovation of the dilapidated Varšava cinema building, which is the oldest stone building in the city, began this week. However, the funds are currently only sufficient for the reconstruction of the foyer, where a café will be located. The association "Let’s Save Cinema Varšava" wants to raise money for the repair of the auditorium through a fundraiser it has now launched. Petr Hubáček, a member of the association, told ČTK today.
    The association initially planned to resume cinema operations, including screenings, after the reconstruction at the turn of September and October. However, this intention must be postponed indefinitely for now. “At the moment, we have dirt instead of a floor in the auditorium, and so we can only use it for horse rides, not for film screenings and cultural events,” Hubáček described the current state.
    The building on Frýdlantská Street, just a few dozen meters from the town hall, is in very poor condition. Heating, electrical wiring, sewage systems, toilets, and the auditorium itself, which has been attacked by wood-destroying fungi, need to be repaired. Varšava was closed six years ago, shortly after celebrating its hundredth anniversary. At that time, the town hall did not have the funds for the estimated 80 million crowns needed for the renovation, and two multiplex cinemas were also established in Liberec, which meant the end of all single-screen cinemas in the city. A group of enthusiasts has been trying to restore operations at Varšava since 2012. They leased the building from the town hall for seven years and additionally received 1.8 million CZK from the city for the most urgent repairs. “That’s not enough for the auditorium renovation. Therefore, we decided to at least do the foyer properly, to show that something is happening here,” Hubáček outlined. He estimates that a heated café with functional restrooms could be in operation by the end of October or November. The work will require more than 1.3 million.
    It is estimated that about five million CZK is needed for the restoration of the auditorium, which the association wants to raise through the fundraiser. Contributions can be sent to account 2400632436/2010. The association originally wanted to repair Varšava with the help of a European grant. However, last year they withdrew from the project costing 20 million CZK, as the money would not be sufficient for a complete reconstruction of the building. About 30 to 40 million is needed.
    Even though no films are currently being screened, the association is trying to organize film events elsewhere. The last event was a week-long festival called "Rozmarné léto" with daily screenings in the square in front of the town hall. The event last week attracted hundreds of viewers. “Over 10,000 crowns were raised from voluntary admissions, which will be used for repairing the entrance doors at the cinema,” said another member of the association, Jiří Žid. The doors are expected to regain their original appearance this year, made of mahogany wood with brass plates and glass.