Press release: the museum's headquarters in the House of the Pážat and its activities in 2025 (4 February 2025)

Prague, 4 February 2025 - At a press conference in the New Town Hall on Mariánské náměstí, the Museum of the Memory of the 20th Century presented the progress of the reconstruction of the museum's future headquarters in the House of the Passion at Hradčany, the preparation of the permanent exhibition and the museum's plan of activities for 2025.

Exactly one year ago, Metrostav's subsidiary Subterra started the reconstruction of the House of Pážat into the headquarters of the Museum of Memory of the 20th Century, z. ú. In this context, the Historical Institute of the Academy of Sciences started a detailed archaeological survey of the building, which yielded a number of interesting discoveries from various historical periods. In parallel, construction work was underway and progressed significantly. According to the plan, the Museum of the Memory of the 20th Century should be moving into its headquarters in autumn 2025.

"I am glad that despite the delays due to the necessary archaeological survey, construction work is now proceeding at the planned pace and the building is slowly taking on a new face. I am looking forward to this year's activities of the Museum of the Memory of the 20th Century and the next stage of this important memory institution," said Deputy Mayor of the Capital City of Prague, commenting on the ongoing reconstruction. JUDr. Jiří Pospíšil, Prague's Minister for Culture, Tourism, Exhibition, Heritage Care, National Minorities and Animal Protection.

The preparation of the permanent exhibition, which will be located on the ground floor of the House of Pheasants, has also been significantly advanced. At the end of 2024, AV MEDIA SYSTEMS, a. s. completed an extensive study of the technical and creative design of the permanent exhibition in the House of the Passion at Prague's Hradčany for the Museum of the Memory of the 20th Century. On the basis of this study, a competition for the contractor of the permanent exhibition will be announced. This key step brings the Museum of the Memory of the 20th Century closer to opening a permanent exhibition that will guide visitors through the turbulent history of the 20th century. The competition for its contractor will be launched by mid-2025. The permanent exhibition will open in 2026.

"This year marks a significant turning point for the Museum of the Memory of the 20th Century, as it will be moving to a new, reconstructed headquarters in Hradčany. The House of the Pážat will become a living place for commemorating important historical events and personalities who have significantly influenced our recent history, as well as a place for meeting and discussing the connections between history and our present," " said JUDr. Hana Kordová Marvanová, Chair of the Board of the Museum of the Memory of the 20th Century.

Visualization of the House of the Pážat as the seat of the Museum of Memory of the 20th Century (IXA)

In addition to the core work on the preparation of the permanent exhibition in the House of the Pážat, the Museum of the Memory of the XXth Century has a number of other activities planned for 2025: the publication of new publications, exhibitions, conferences, seminars, events for schools, and the 6th annual Unbroken and Sacrificed film festival, which will be dedicated to film images of alternative culture in Czechoslovakia and other Soviet bloc countries.

"The museum has recently published several new books. Among them is a comprehensive book by Zbyněk Fišer, Egon Bondy and the State Security, which has aroused great public interest. On the anniversary of the Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia on 25 February 2025, we will present two books on the crimes of Communism in the Academia bookshop on Wenceslas Square. One of them is devoted to the infamous Domeček, as the military prison in Hradčany, located near the House of the Piazzas, was called. We are preparing events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. In the second half of the year, a comprehensive publication on the history of Germans in Czechoslovakia will be published. There will be a traditional outdoor exhibition on Kampa, this time dedicated to state visits to Czechoslovakia. The biggest event will be the Unbroken and Sacrificed film festival, which will take place from 4 to 7 November 2025," said Petr Blažek, PhD, Director of the Museum of Memory of the XXth Century.

Covers of new publications of the Museum of Memory of the 20th Century (MPXX)

The complete plan of activities for 2025, which was approved by the Board of Trustees, can be found on the museum's website.

This year, the Museum of Memory of the XXth Century will continue its cooperation with the Kampa Museum, Prague City Tourism (the Bells of Memory project is continuing), the Václav Havel Library, the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes, the Military Historical Institute, the National Film Archive, the Polish Institute in Prague, the Slovak Institute Prague, the Platform of European Memory and Conscience, Czech Television and other partners. In December 2024, the Museum of Memory of the XXth Century submitted an application to the International Council of Museums (ICOM). Last year, the Friends of the Museum of Memory of the 20th Century Club was founded.

Contact:
info@mpxx.cz
tel. +420/603860454
www.mpxx.cz