Huť Jakub should expect the repair of another part of the roof

Bělá - In the glassworks Jakub in Tasicích in the Havlíčkův Brod region, which is a national cultural monument, another part of the roof should be repaired this year. The complex, dating back to 1796, currently operates as a glassmaking open-air museum, and the program with demonstrations of hand production and glass decoration is gradually expanding. About 500 people participated in today's Spring Glassmaking, said František Milichovský, the owner of the monument, to ČTK.

"We are collaborating with top glass artist Zdeněk Kunc," Milichovský stated. Besides this artist from Nový Bor, visitors today also saw Daniel Vágner at glass grinding and Iveta Vorlíčková, who painted the glass.

Since the glass production ceased in 2002, glassmakers have occasionally returned to the glassworks since October 2016, when the 220th anniversary of its establishment was celebrated. Last year, spring and pre-Christmas glassmaking events took place, as well as a day dedicated to glassmaking crafts in September. During this summer tourist season, the glass kiln will also be in operation on selected weekend dates. "All events and the operation of the glassmaking open-air museum help secure co-financing for repairs and the preservation of individual buildings," Milichovský stated.

Last year's repairs focused on the 32-meter-high chimney and part of the roof of the grinding house. For this year, the owner of the monument plans to replace part of the roofing on the glassworks hall and repair the external plaster on the grinding house. A request for a subsidy of about 700,000 crowns for this work has been submitted to the emergency program of the Ministry of Culture. "That roof is crucial for us," Milichovský said. The aluminum sheet is nearing the end of its lifespan and there is a risk that the original roof beams could be damaged due to leaking. The walls and equipment of the glassworks also suffer from higher humidity.

The glassworks gained public attention thanks to the television series by Jaroslav Dietl, "Sons and Daughters of Jakub the Glassmaker," which was filmed there in 1985. Production at the glassworks ceased in April 2002. The complex then fell into disrepair for two years until Luboš Pipa purchased it, who made a series of repairs, continuing the work of the current owners.