Makovský will remove his monument from Brno's Nové sady

Brno - The cracked glass monument to the three resistances in Brno on Nové sady will be removed. The city has reached an agreement on this after years of disputes with the artist Zdeněk Makovský and the author of the text Ludvík Kundera. The monument will be removed due to its appearance, which does not create a dignified atmosphere, said the mayor's deputy Martin Ander (SZ) to reporters today. The memorial was ceremoniously unveiled ten years ago, and even then, the glass was marred by cracks.
    The city paid 4.3 million crowns for the monument. According to a court ruling valid since last October, the artist Zdeněk Makovský had to give the city a discount due to the imperfections in the work. Makovský has already paid more than a million crowns. He now has to remove the monument at his own expense by the end of May, Ander said today. The demolition and modification of the area will cost less than half a million crowns.
    The monument to the three resistances was opened on Nové sady in December 1999. Due to the low temperature, the glass blocks were glued together in a tent on site, where it was heated. However, the conditions were apparently not suitable for installation, and cracks were already visible on the glass on the day of the unveiling. The artist then promised to remove them, but the monument remained cracked.
    According to Ander, the city has not yet decided what will be created in the place of the monument. There is currently a crushed stone area around it that should remain. Residents living around will reportedly be able to express how they would like to use the space. For example, a pétanque court would be suitable for a park in such a location, the deputy believes.
    Ander emphasized that the removal of the monument should not be taken as disrespect to the resistance fighters. He reminded that the city has erected a new monument for the participants of the three resistances in Brno, precisely because of the imperfections of the monument on Nové sady, and that is on Roosevelt Street. It takes the form of a bronze pyramid.

photo: Pavel Ševela