Prague - The ideas of the Social Democrats for the location of the new National Library (NK) building according to the design by Jan Kaplický in the Central Bohemian Region have only received a lukewarm response from his supporters. The director of the NK, Pavel Hazuka (ČSSD), expects that he will be in talks with Central Bohemian governor David Rath (ČSSD). However, he reminds that Kaplický proposed the building for Prague's Letná. "Anywhere else, the building will not have all the elements that made it an exceptional project," Hazuka told ČTK. He does not know when discussions with the governor might take place. "I believe it will be initiated by the governor," he said. CSSD chairman Jiří Paroubek stated on Sunday that Rath wants the library to be built on land in his region near Václav Havel Airport or in Kladno or Příbram. However, Paroubek also emphasized that moving the building from Prague's Letná plain, where it was originally designed and where it could not be realized, to the outskirts of the metropolis is not ideal. Kaplický had already discussed his potential support with Paroubek last spring when it became clear that the project had no political backing. Following Kaplický's death on January 14 this year, several civic initiatives emerged that want to advocate for the construction in Letná. The foundation "For the Library" has begun a collection for the library's construction. "The foundation welcomes any serious support that contributes to initiating the process of building a quality and dignified building for the National Library of the Czech Republic," said his media representative Radek Zeman to ČTK today. Given the current situation, we consider it necessary for the new library to have the support of as wide a spectrum of personalities from political and public life in our country as possible, he added. Kaplický's design won the competition for the new NK building more than two years ago. The initial enthusiasm of the jury members for the winning design was completely overturned by political circumstances. President Václav Klaus opposed the building, and its construction was ultimately prevented by the Prague city hall led by Mayor Pavel Bém (ODS). Bém is seen as a close political ally of Klaus. At the beginning of March, the two-year period during which Kaplický's project belonged to the library expired, which was supposed to start preparatory work at that time. This did not happen, and on March 2, the project passed into the hands of the authors, the Future Systems studio. The issue of inheriting Kaplický's copyright is also being resolved, and it is unclear who will possess the project.
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