Ostrava 2015 initiative to gain from joint development plan of Mining Museum and Lower Vítkovice District

OSTRAVA (3 June 2010) – Leading companies of Ostrava have struck an agreement over a joint approach in improving the care provided to the most prominent industrial landmarks of the Northern Moravian city, namely the Lower Vítkovice District and the OKD Mining Museum. Both sites will be managed by the company VÍTKOVICE HOLDING, a part of the engineering group VÍTKOVICE MACHINERY GROUP, which has previously assumed the care of the Lower Vítkovice District, and which will start managing the Mining Museum from 1 June 2010. The mining company OKD, which previously managed the Museum, will continue contributing to the activities of the institution.

This unique project, set to combine the museum displays of mining, metallurgy and engineering, will for future generations preserve the heritage of the industrial past of Ostrava while lending the city a sense of uniqueness within the Czech Republic as well as Europe. The city of Ostrava will also tap into the potential of this project in its European Capital of Culture 2015 candidacy.

Even though the Vítkovice premises are to be developed further, the mining exhibition, complete with the chance to go down a shaft, will remain at the centre of it. “In the first stage, we will concentrate on the restoration of the Museum, for which we have already secured a subsidy from EU funds. The ‘clocking-in house’ with the chain changing rooms will be converted into the visitors centre. The displays will be designed as a multimedia exhibition, providing the visitors with a very real experience of working in mines. We also intend to gradually revive the whole compound and convert it into a place of leisure and entertainment. The combination with the exhibition of the old blast furnaces and the World of Technology, including the modern Science Learning Centre in the Lower Vítkovice District, will make the Museum all the more attractive for visitors and locals alike,” Jan Světlík, the Managing Director and the Board Chairman of Vítkovice Holding, explained.

“Revitalisation of old industrial areas that still shape the unique skyline of Ostrava is something that clearly sets Ostrava apart from other towns and cities in the Czech Republic. We want to return life to these areas. If Ostrava is successful in winning the title, to be announced on 8 September of this year, both locations will become not only much sought-out tourist attractions in the city, but also the sites of numerous exceptional cultural events,” Čestmír Kopecký, the Ostrava 2015 Project Manager said.

The transfer of the Mining Museum, agreed between both companies, is to take place following several months of negotiations aimed at ensuring the best possible conditions for the Museum. The ensuing synergies will benefit both sides and particularly the future of the industrial landmarks in the Ostrava region.

OKD will continue contributing to activities of the Mining Museum. “Our own company foundation regularly supports the Mining Museum Friends Club as well as the Landek Foundation, which strives to maintain and develop mining traditions, including the development of the mining monuments below Landek Hill. Thanks to the activities of these organisations, we have been able to provide financing to, for example, the refurbishment of the Museum gatehouse and the construction of the ‘Mammoth Hunters’ Settlement’, which has enriched the visiting experience, especially from the point of view of young visitors. We plan to maintain our support in the future,” said Blanka Týřová, the OKD Foundation Director.

The transfer of both landmarks to a single owner is also seen by Ostrava City Council as a welcome step: “I trust that this combining of both industrial landmarks will turn into a substantial contribution to the development of the city of Ostrava as a place for living, education, culture and leisure. I expect the city to gain in attraction for tourists as well. It is undoubtedly a considerable investment in the future of Ostrava,” Lukáš Ženatý, Deputy Mayor of Ostrava, commented.

The integration of both monuments is also considered a positive step by yet another local institution, the Mining University – Technical University of Ostrava (Vysoká škola báňská - Technická univerzita Ostrava). “Although technology is taking giant strides forward in our industry, it is very important to provide the students with a chance to learn about the roots of mining as well as metallurgy, which is closely linked to mining in our region,” said Vladimír Slivka, Dean of the Faculty of Mining and Geology at the University.

The Mining Museum is recognised as a popular destination for tourists. However, the increasingly core focus of OKD on mining, resulting in the company shedding almost all of its non-mining activities, has hampered its further development. “We are acutely aware of our responsibility for not only the economic but cultural development of the Ostrava region as well. However, we are experts in mining, rather than in preserving and presenting old mining traditions, and I trust that the conceptual and legal conjunction between the Lower Vítkovice District and the Mining Museum will help in delivering these activities in a better and broader manner, clearly benefiting the whole region,” added Klaus-Dieter Beck, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of OKD.

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Editor‘s notes:

Dolní oblast Vítkovic (Lower Vítkovice District)

The national cultural landmark of Lower Vítkovice District, owned for the most part by the VÍTKOVICE MACHINERY GROUP, is unique for its technological combination of coal mining, coke production and iron production. The panorama of the compound is monumental in itself. It is often referred to as the Ostrava version of the Prague Castle. The engineering group is now preparing an extensive development project called “New Vítkovice”, encompassing the restoration of historical industrial monuments, scientific laboratories, a university centre as well as public sports grounds.

The Mining Museum

The largest mining museum in the Czech Republic occupies the Petřkovice district on the outskirts of the city, at the foot of Landek Hill, positioned above the confluence of the Oder and Ostravice Rivers. Landek Hill was declared a national natural landmark in 1992. It is a site of world renown in terms of geology, archaeology, history, natural sciences and mining. That is why the linking of the Mining Museum as a technical monument with the Landek Hill as a national natural landmark, with its rich flora and fauna, imbues the site with uniqueness and attractiveness. The displays in the shafts of the historic Anselm Mine and the mining rescue display, the largest of its kind in the world, are particularly exceptional.

The European Capital of Culture

The international European Capital of Culture project began in 1985 as an initiative of the Greek Minister for Culture Melina Mercouri. The title of European Capital of Culture is conferred on two selected cities for one calendar year and allows them to present to Europe their cultural singularity and diversity. The title is to go to Belgium and the Czech Republic in 2015. Ostrava has made it to the selection round, as has Pilsen in West Bohemia. The decision on the actual capital cities of culture for 2015 will be made in September 2010 by a 13-member committee comprising seven representatives of European institutions and six Czech jury members.

For further information, please contact:

Michaela Hofmanová, Ostrava 2015 PR and Communication
E-mail: michaela.hofmanova@ostrava2015.cz  
Mobile: 732 372 424

Eva Kijonková, Vítkovice Holding spokesperson
E-mail: eva.kijonkova@seznam.cz  
Mobile: 721 857 097

Vladislav Sobol, OKD spokesperson
E-mail: vladislav.sobol@okd.cz  
Mobile: 725 595 417