Hrabal's cottage in Kersko has become a cultural monument

Prague/Kersko - The cottage of the writer Bohumil Hrabal in Kersko, Nymburk, has become a cultural monument, as decided by the Ministry of Culture. The building associated with the life and work of writer Bohumil Hrabal, owned by the Central Bohemian region, will open in 2024 as a so-called house museum managed by the Polabí Museum after reconstruction. Jana Pancířová Kopřivová informed about this today on behalf of the Central Bohemian Regional Office in a press release.

"Hrabal's cottage has extraordinary cultural and historical value. It is a unique testimony to the life and work of a world-renowned writer. The cottage itself and its surroundings are also firmly anchored in his literary work, and they are reminiscent of films inspired by his books. For this reason, we wanted the cottage to gain the status of a cultural monument, which will ensure its protection for future generations," said the regional councilor for culture Václav Švenda (Allies). The region requested the declaration of the cottage as a cultural monument last year.

Bohumil Hrabal (1914 to 1997) acquired the cottage, where he wrote most of his books especially in the 1970s, in 1965. From 1967 to 1970, he made construction modifications, adding an upper floor and a garage, above which a glass veranda was created. Before his death, he donated the building to the son of his neighbor, who added a bathroom and kitchen.

The region purchased the cottage in 2021 for nearly ten million crowns, and it opened in the form of a so-called house museum in May two years ago. After reconstruction, it returned to its appearance from the 1980s when the writer stayed in the cottage. Part of the exhibition consists of original furnishings from the collections of the Polabí Museum, and period items obtained from donors also contribute to the authentic impression. The Polabí Museum also includes the Regional Museum in Nymburk, which has long managed a permanent exhibition dedicated to Bohumil Hrabal.

Visitors can visit the cottage for the first time this year on the last weekend of March. From Friday to Sunday, the cottage will be accessible in April and October. From May to September, it will be open daily except Mondays. Interested parties can purchase tickets on the reservation website of the Polabí Museum.