Ústí has its first waterfront with a cultural container

Ústí nad Labem - The very first cultural embankment in Ústí nad Labem came to life today on the Střekov waterfront. The cornerstone of the project is the BOX container, which will offer cultural events; in the future, a bike rental is also planned, said Jovanka Arandjelovic, its operator.
    Ústí nad Labem is part of a project to revitalize cities, led by Ondřej Kobza. He is, among other things, the founder of the project Pianos on the Street. "We were attracted to this city, which is almost equidistant from Dresden and Prague, and has interesting art schools. Given its potential, it is a bit struggling compared to other regional cities like Hradec Králové or Olomouc," Kobza told ČTK, noting that he sees potential in Ústí.
    The cultural BOX is expected to be operational until the end of October. "The concept is such that there will be periodic events here, either a concert or film screenings, once a week. We would be happy if workshops, children's programs, or gatherings also took place here," added Arandjelovic. In the future, she also plans to provide services for visitors of the adjacent bike path, including bike or longboard rentals.
    The Deputy Mayor of the Ústí nad Labem - Střekov district, Jiří Němeček (PRO! Ústí), considers the cultural BOX to be the first step in revitalizing the Střekov waterfront. "I think it's a kind of swallow that will attract people and perhaps keep them here," Němeček told ČTK. According to him, the innovation doesn't have to be a one-time event and could develop into a space where people spend their free time by the river.
    The Střekov town hall plans further revitalization of the surroundings. In the first phase, it wants to negotiate better maintenance of the land along the river with the Elbe River Authority. "The most essential thing is to turn this overgrown area into a sunbathing meadow. I believe that starting next year, there will be places for sunbathing here, there will be an Elbe beach, and that people will gradually find a way to use this space," added Němeček.