Ostrava Concert Hall Groundbreaking

The Ostrava Concert Hall broke ground July 19, 2024, in a celebration with remarks by President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel, Mayor of Ostrava Jan Dohnal, Janáček Philharmonic Director Jan Zemla, Steven Holl, and city and state officials. Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra performed the symphonic poem Vltava from Bedřich Smetana’s Má vlast (My homeland), led by the new chief conductor Daniel Raiskin. The event concluded with a ceremonial tapping of the foundation stone.

“The ground-breaking ceremony, attended by the head of state and other top constitutional officials and city representatives, is a beacon of hope not only for the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava but for the entire cultural scene in the Czech Republic. It is a hope that culture and cultural activities are no longer seen as peripheral issues… culture is what defines us as human beings, but especially as a nation,” stated Jan Žemla, Director of the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra.

Watch moments from the ceremony at the City of Ostrava LinkedIn page.