The equestrian statue of Masaryk should be erected in Lány within three years

Rakovník - The first equestrian statue of Czechoslovak president T.G. Masaryk will stand before the branch of his museum in Lány within three years. The required 1.8 million crowns for the bronze statue in slightly larger-than-life size will be sought by the Lány museum from the proceeds of a nationwide fundraising campaign, the account of which was opened today at the ČSOB branch in Rakovník. This was stated by the director of the Rakovník Museum T.G.M., František Povolný.
    "The establishment of the account was a prerequisite for applying for a public fundraising announcement to the regional office. We expect to receive approval in May, and immediately afterward we will announce the account number to which individuals and institutions can send their contributions," said Director Povolný, who became the first contributor this morning by depositing 1000 crowns into the account.
    "People can deposit any amounts in cash or electronically, which will not be subject to any fees under the agreed conditions," stated the director of the Rakovník branch of ČSOB, Vít Jakubský.
    In addition to the bank account, interested parties will be able to contribute using collector's sheets, which will be available at all ten branches of the T.G.M. Museum in Rakovník. At the branch in Lány, it will be possible to deposit money directly into the cash register. All information about the progress of the fundraising will be published on www.muzeumtgm.cz.
    "We have already recorded great interest in the fundraiser; both representatives of institutions and individual museum visitors are asking about it," said the head of the Lány branch, Magdaléna Mikesková.
    The statue will be created by artist and sculptor Petr Novák, who is the creator of the statue of T.G. Masaryk in Jaroměř, among others. The exact size of the statue with the pedestal is not yet known. Architects have not yet determined the proportions of the statue in relation to the museum building in Lány.
    The creation of the statue at President Masaryk's summer residence in Lány is also supported by the local council. "Local organizations will definitely participate in the fundraiser, and I believe that the community will support it too," said Lány councilor Roman Havelka.
    There are dozens of Masaryk statues in the Czech Republic, with several abroad. However, Masaryk, whose love of horseback riding was legendary, does not yet have an equestrian statue. An equestrian statue dedicated to Masaryk does stand in Chicago, USA, but it does not represent the first Czechoslovak president, but a mythical knight from Blaník.
    Masaryk was the first president of Czechoslovakia from 1918 to 1935, participating in its founding alongside his successor Edvard Beneš and Slovak Milan Rastislav Štefánik. He held the post of head of state longer than any other president who led Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic.
    At the Lány castle, his favorite summer residence, Masaryk died on September 14, 1937, at the age of 87. This was almost two years after he resigned from the presidential office due to health reasons. The Lány cemetery is the final resting place not just of Masaryk but also of his wife Charlotte, son Jan, and daughter Alice.
    Masaryk was born on March 7, 1850, in Hodonín. His ideals of morality, truth, justice, and humanity became the foundation of Czechoslovak statehood and remained undisturbed by years of dictatorship. According to experts, most of his thoughts and opinions are still relevant today.