Critics of the competition's course are writing to the minister about the library

Prague - Some Czech architects are once again saying that the international architectural competition for the construction of the new National Library (NK) building in Letná was manipulated. Today they are holding a press conference to publish an open letter to the Minister of Culture. It concerns the allegedly irregular competition.
    The critics are especially troubled by the alleged violation of a binding condition of the competition, according to which the national conservation fund of the library was to be placed above ground. The winning proposal by Jan Kaplický has it underground.
    Critics also complained to the Office for the Protection of Competition, which twice rejected their proposal, stating that the rules for international architectural competitions are established by the International Union of Architects (UIA), and thus the case falls under its jurisdiction.
    Based on a complaint from eight Czech architects and a special complaint from the Czech Chamber of Architects, the UIA also dealt with this case. At the beginning of October, it sent its statement to the Czech Republic. However, the NK and ČKA interpret it differently. According to the library, the union pointed out deficiencies in the competition, but the competition is not annulled; according to the chamber, the jury violated the binding conditions of the competition, thus the competition took place in violation of applicable law.