The National Theatre in Prague celebrates the 125th anniversary of its reopening

Source
Jiří Borovička
Publisher
ČTK
18.11.2008 15:00
Czech Republic

Prague

Prague - With the symbolic unveiling of the trig model, whose sculpture on the roof of the historical National Theatre building in Prague has been repaired, Culture Minister Václav Jehlička today concluded the first phase of its reconstruction. It has cost 23.5 million crowns and was funded by a targeted grant from the Ministry of Culture. According to information from today's press conference, the start of the second phase of reconstruction, for the restoration of the facade, is planned for March next year. It is expected to last three years, with a budget estimating costs at 170 million crowns.
    The General Director of the Czech national scene, Ondřej Černý, pointed out that the historical building is not only an excellent theatre due to its beauty, atmosphere, and acoustics. "It is also a gallery of 19th-century fine arts and a great legacy left to us by our ancestors," he said. For this reason, he wants to restore the activities of the commission for the decoration of the ND, a fifteen-member assembly that will be able to consult on restoration work in the historical building as well as the Estates Theatre. The original commission first met in 1873 to decide on the sculptural decoration.
    Černý reminded that exactly today marks the 125th anniversary of the reopening of the ND after the devastating fire in 1883. This anniversary is also related to other events happening today - the afternoon opening of the historical building, including the attractive space of the presidential lounge for the public and the unveiling of a bust of Gustav Schmoranze, who led the theatre for a full 22 years starting in 1900.
    "The evening will precede the presentation of the production The Bartered Bride at a festive academy, which will feature Smetana's Festive Overture in C major and also the festive choir 'Nation for Itself'; just like 125 years ago performed by the singing society Hlahol," said Černý.
    "We all know that the National Theatre was and is a symbol of Czech national culture and identity. In the next six months, when we will be the presiding state of the European Union, it will play a significant European role. It will be the site of a festive concert on January 7, broadcast to all 26 remaining EU countries," Jehlička said.
    The first phase of the reconstruction of the "golden chapel" also concerned the roof, in addition to the trig. Its more than ten-ton cast iron crown is now heavier by about 2.5 kilograms of twenty-four-karat gold worth 2.7 million crowns, which is expected to last for the next 30 years.
    The poor condition of the trig was caused by the expansion of the concrete filling of the back legs of the horses. This was poured into the sculpture in 1942 to secure it during the bombing of Prague. However, the concrete absorbed water that froze in winter and damaged the steel structure.
    According to the Deputy Technical Director of the ND, Miroslav Růžička, the reconstruction of the facade should not affect theatrical activities, which is part of the conditions of this contract. "The planned reconstruction of the technological tunnels will, however, temporarily close Smetanovo nábřeží in 2010," Růžička told ČTK. During this time, according to Černý, the New Scene will also be shut down, as its air conditioning will be out of service due to the repairs.
    The head of the ND archive, Zdena Benešová, presented a DVD containing a complete list of the theatre's repertoire from 1883 to 2008. The DVD is organized by individual seasons, titles of productions, and directors and is a specific result of the archive's digitization. According to her, in terms of the information from 1883, it is a unique project even on a European scale, both in its extent and in its processing. "We hope that it will serve as an incentive to explore the history of this stage on our website," added Černý.
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