Prague/Usti nad Labem, North Bohemia, Oct 19 (CTK) – The Czech state will earmark only 90 million crowns for the celebrations of the 700th birth anniversary of Charles IV (1316-1378), King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, instead of the planned 250 million, the government decided Monday.
The detailed programme of the celebrations includes even events that do not deserve state support, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (Social Democrats, CSSD) said, justifying the decision.
Culture Minister Daniel Herman (Christian Democrats, KDU-CSL) is to submit a reduced version of the programme to the government in two weeks.
The ministers postponed the document since it must be modified to make the budget framework for the celebrations more realistic, Sobotka added.
The government approved Monday a limit of 90 million crowns, while only particular demands by the culture, foreign affairs and local development ministries will be dealt with during a further debate on the celebrations funding, according to CTK sources.
The organisers of some events are also institutions operating under other sectors, such as the Czech Academy of Sciences (AV CR) and Charles University.
Herman said 90 million crowns were just a certain framework and everything would still be discussed and specified.
The aim of the material is to secure a dignified remembrance of the anniversary of Charles IV, one of the most important personalities of the Czech and European history, Herman said.
Monday’s document was an updated version worked out at the initiative of the national commission organising the celebrations, headed by Chamber of Deputies chairman Jan Hamacek (CSSD). It also comprises Prague Archbishop Dominik Duka, Charles University Rector Tomas Zima and AV CR President Jiri Drahos.
Last May, when the commission met for the first time, Sobotka said the Charles IV celebrations of the 700th birth anniversary in 2016 would become an event of European importance.
The celebrations will be funded from several sources, both public and private ones, Sobotka said then.
Within the celebrations, Charles University plans a meeting of representatives of European universities and cities and a conference entitled “Charles IV’s Legacy” in cooperation with the AV.
The National Gallery is preparing a big international exhibition in cooperation with foreign partners. The government approved money for it in the spring.
