Komentované prohlídky seznámí zájemce s architekturou brutalismu **Guided tours will introduce interested parties to the architecture of brutalism.**

Prague - The buildings in Prague constructed during the normalization period, which are not particularly popular with the public, have, according to some experts, architects, and artists, overlooked qualities at first glance. Therefore, this autumn, a series of tours of some of these buildings will take place under the title The Ugliest Architecture of Prague, featuring expert commentary. The first of these will focus on the New Stage building by architect Karel Prager, which on September 23 at 17:00 will be guided by musician, visual artist, and admirer of Prager's work, Vladimir 518.
    Among the buildings that repeatedly appear in public rankings and evaluations as the ugliest in Prague are, for example, the former Federal Assembly building, the Pyramida hotel in Břevnov, the dispatch center of the Prague Public Transport Company, and the Žižkov TV tower.
    "Finding it interesting and enriching even in the seemingly different and possibly controversial architecture can be a way to understand other forms of art and our society," said artist Evžen Šimera from the Scholastika association, which organizes the event, regarding the series of tours. Among the personalities who will introduce the public to the architecture of the buildings and their inventory will be, for instance, architect Adam Gebrian or curator Rostislav Koryčánek from the Moravian Gallery in Brno.
    The New Stage of the National Theatre was built from 1977 to 1983 according to Karel Prager's design. Since its completion, it has been one of the most discussed buildings in Prague. The building on Národní Street is divided into two parts: the one adjacent to the baroque monastery is calm, transparent, with a smooth glass facade. The second part rises on massive pillars, between which is an open passage to the theatre piazza, and with glass blocks, it appears as a sculpture. However, not everyone finds it quality and architecturally valuable.
    "It is important to draw the public's attention to the quality of these buildings to avoid a situation similar to that of the former Hotel Praha," recalled Vladimir 518 regarding the recent demolition of another Prague building.
    Buildings constructed in the 60s to 80s, often in the style of so-called brutalism also practiced in Western Europe, are waiting for acceptance from the public, but often also from experts. There is still debate over whether such buildings deserve heritage protection. This is currently the case, for example, with the Thermal hotel in Karlovy Vary, designed by the Machonin couple. Recently, the owner announced plans to demolish the former Central Dispatch of the transit gas pipeline, later the headquarters of the Central Bohemian Energy Company on Vinohradská Street above the Museum. The building was included by curator architecture at the National Gallery Radomíra Sedláková among architecturally significant objects in Prague from 1850 to 2000.