The new house in Liberec is named after the comedian Vlastimil Burian

Liberec - The new building in Liberec is named after the comedian Vlasta Burian. It stands near the place where the actor was born in 1891. Its construction cost 13 million crowns, funded by the EU. Roman Šotola, its program director, stated this today during the presentation of the new center.
    The construction of the center on Široká Street has also faced criticism. According to opponents, it is an unnecessary project that arose on the land of a real estate speculator. "If I felt that way, I wouldn't be here. If it turned out that way, I would tarnish my relatively good reputation. It wouldn't be worth it," said Šotola, who was involved in the inception of the project alongside the Vlasta Burian Society.
    The center will open to the public on Friday, and the spaces are, according to Šotola, created in a club-like, intimate form. For example, the Etiquette salon, where lectures on rules of social behavior will be held, is in an L-shape. In the fitness area, the mats are currently rolled up. According to Šotola, it will be a mini gym in the spirit of the First Republic. "There won't be any weights, but mats and other things for exercising with one's own body," he added.
    Burian lived in Liberec until he was ten years old; his birthplace has not survived. The center is intended to present Burian as an actor, athlete, and cook. On the ground floor, there is a gallery showcasing Burian's photographs, documents, and film posters. His report card is also on display, among other things. There is even a screening room for watching films. Šotola does not expect the center to make a profit just from admission fees. "We will try to obtain grants for various events," he added. There should be a screening of Burian's film this year, along with regular yoga sessions and health exercises, or art workshops for children.
    Today, Jiří Šolc, who was the deputy mayor of Liberec at the time of the project approval, also visited the center. "Whether the building makes sense will be shown by the future. Many people are drawn to Vlasta Burian, but whether this format will resonate with them remains to be seen," he said. He appreciated the architecture. "It is nice and fits well into the lower center," he noted. Architect Pavel Šťastný aimed to create an elegant four-story building in the infill. "Burian was an elegant man; the way he presented himself and dressed should reflect in this building as well," he stated. The building is black and white, similar to the era of Burian's films. However, according to Šťastný, its appearance emerged from discussions with preservationists, as it is on the edge of the heritage zone.
    The house stands in a neglected part of the city, surrounded by unkempt buildings. "I like that contrast, but in the future, it would probably be good if there were no ruins nearby," Šotola said. He believes that Burian's house shows the direction in which the area could head. Šťastný shares a similar opinion.