The head of the KSČM deputies Kováčik defends Kaplický's library project

Prague - The chairman of the Communist deputies' club, Pavel Kováčik, defends the project for the new National Library building by world-renowned architect of Czech origin Jan Kaplický. As a member of the advisory board of the director of the National Library, he had the opportunity to familiarize himself with the project and is convinced that it is good, he said at today's press conference of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM).
Today, the project by Kaplický was also supported by Walter Bartoš, chairman of the parliamentary committee for culture from the Civic Democratic Party (ODS). He expects that the committee will address the disputes surrounding the library after this parliamentary session, in the presence of Minister of Culture Václav Jehlička. "I support the idea of the library being built in Letná. I like that building," Bartoš told ČTK.
Today, the chairman of the Communist club, Kováčik, challenged the claims of Prime Minister and ODS chairman Mirek Topolánek that the new National Library building is not among the government's priorities and that no funds have been allocated for it in the budget. He quoted from the budget proposal, according to which the government plans to allocate 218 million crowns for the construction of the new library in 2008, 395 million crowns in 2009, and 461 million crowns in 2010. "This government is planning the financing of the library," said the chairman of the Communist deputies.
The National Library aims to solve its spatial problems through the construction of a second building. According to its director, Vlastimil Ježek, if the new building is not created, a collapse of the library due to capacity reasons will occur after the year 2010. "A new National Library must be built, as the old one is bursting at the seams," added Kováčik.
Today, Jana Volfová, the chairwoman of the Party of Dignified Life, also commented on the project for the new National Library building. She believes that the library could save a billion crowns, which should be invested in a pension fund. The party advocates relocating the National Library to the National House in Vinohrady.
Intense discussions about whether the library should be built in Letná according to Kaplický's design, which won an international competition, began last week. The majority of city councilors from ODS, including Mayor Pavel Bém (ODS), opposed it. Bém is expected to present a list of locations where the building could stand to the director of the National Library, Vlastimil Ježek, next week. Locations being discussed include Strahov, Pankrác, Prosek, Letňany, and even Stodůlky.
On Sunday, Kaplický admitted that the library according to his design might not be built in Prague. In his support, architects, historians, artists, and educators from construction fields have signed a petition. Previously, President Václav Klaus opposed the construction of the new library in Letná according to Kaplický's design. On the contrary, his predecessor Václav Havel supported it.