Právo: Kaplický's blob may be built in Prague

Prague, Jan 22 (CTK) - Jan Kaplicky's design for a new Czech National Library (NK), dubbed blob, may be eventually built in the Prague 8 district, but this may depend on the outcome of the presidential election, daily Pravo writes Tuesday.

Due to its unorthodox form, for which it was also nicknamed an "octopus," the building was a highly controversial issue in the mid-2000s. It was one of the things that deeply divided former president Vaclav Havel, who was all for it, and President Vaclav Klaus, who strictly rejected it.

The project was eventually dismissed and Jan Kaplicky died in 2009.

Now the building, that was originally to be built in Prague's Letna area, may be on the Rohansky island in Prague 8, Pravo writes, referring to the talks between Kaplicky's widow Eliska Kaplicky and the developers from the Sekyra group.

The original proposal of a new Czech national library may be transformed into a social and cultural centre. It may be built on the huge land now developed by Sekyra group that might take up the project, Pravo writes.

"The whole vision will become clear after January 27 when it will be known who will be our president," Kaplicky told the paper.

"In January 2009, current presidential candidate Karel Schwarzenberg said on Old Town Square that this is a great 21st century work of art," Kaplicky said.

"I hope that after the successful elections we will be able to continue with the talks with Sekyra group on the conditions and push forward the idea of the implementation of the project," she added.

The decision is to be made by the Prague 8 district, not by the Prague City Hall.

"The application will be assessed by the zoning commission, then by the council and eventually by the planning office," Prague 8 spokeswoman Helena Smidova has told the paper.

"As it is a local affair, the City Hall may only be involved if anyone appeals, she added.

The issue of the blob or octopus has always been highly controversial and this can be expected now too, Smidova said.

The entire process of settling the application may last several months, perhaps half a year, she added.

Kaplicky said the construction project might be implemented within several years.

Experts have warned of the problem that Jan Kaplicky has already died, which may complicate the construction process, Pravo writes.

Serious problems may arise as the project will be implemented on a different place and for a different purpose than originally planned, it adds, highlighting the case of the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Italy.

"I believe that the building will be constructed as a cultural and social centre where people of all generations will meet," Kaplicky said.

Former prime minister Zeman and Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg, former head of Havel's Presidential Office, will contest the direct presidential run-off on January 25-26.

According to the latest poll, Zeman's chances are slightly higher.