News

The PLATO gallery’s recent Mies van der Rohe Award nomination is attracting new visitors, and a current exhibition has been extended
12 3 2024

The PLATO gallery’s recent Mies van der Rohe Award nomination is attracting new visitors, and a current exhibition has been extended

Ostrava’s PLATO contemporary art gallery is extending the duration of the exhibition Escaped, Found a Hideout, Still on the Run (Animal News) by an additional week, until 17 March. The extension comes in response to an upsurge of public interest as well as a planned visit by the jury of the EU’s Mies van der Rohe Award; the gallery – converted from a historic former slaughterhouse – has reached the finals of this prestigious international competition.

OSTRAVA SELECTS CONTRACTOR FOR SECOND PHASE OF THE OSTRAVA CULTURAL CENTRE RECONSTRUCTION AND CONCERT HALL EXTENSION PROJECT
11 3 2024

OSTRAVA SELECTS CONTRACTOR FOR SECOND PHASE OF THE OSTRAVA CULTURAL CENTRE RECONSTRUCTION AND CONCERT HALL EXTENSION PROJECT

The evaluation committee has completed the rigorous process of reviewing bids received by the city in the public procurement procedure for the second phase of the concert hall project and reconstruction of the Ostrava Cultural Centre. Five contenders expressed interest in constructing this unique structure, with bid prices ranging from 2.798 billion to 3.69 billion CZK.

RECONSTRUCTION OF OSTRAVA SLAUGHTERHOUSE IN THE FINAL OF A PRESTIGIOUS EUROPEAN COMPETITION
11 3 2024

RECONSTRUCTION OF OSTRAVA SLAUGHTERHOUSE IN THE FINAL OF A PRESTIGIOUS EUROPEAN COMPETITION

The project to convert the historic slaughterhouse into the contemporary art gallery PLATO once again excels in the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award. After advancing to the narrower nomination selection in January, it has now made it to the final seven, or rather, five. No Czech construction has been this successful in the past.

CURRENT STATUS OF THE PLANNED RECONSTRUCTION AND BEAUTIFICATION OF OSTRAVA MAIN TRAIN STATION AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
11 3 2024

CURRENT STATUS OF THE PLANNED RECONSTRUCTION AND BEAUTIFICATION OF OSTRAVA MAIN TRAIN STATION AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

February marked 49 years since the opening of the main building of Ostrava Main Train Station, a structure representative of the fading Brussels style in Czech architecture. The building has been affected by time and partial interventions, with some elements disappearing and internal modifications being added. Similarly, the area in front of this main railway hub has gradually deteriorated. 

OSTRAVAR ARENA SET FOR RENOVATION, OSTRAVA PLANS NEW PREMIER ICE SPORTS CENTRE
11 3 2024

OSTRAVAR ARENA SET FOR RENOVATION, OSTRAVA PLANS NEW PREMIER ICE SPORTS CENTRE

The present structural condition of the nearly forty-year-old OSTRAVAR ARENA, combined with a significant rise in electricity and heating costs, has prompted the city to commission a study for future decision-making on the architectural renovation of this distinctive building and its potential use in the years ahead.

THE CITY IS IN DISCUSSIONS WITH A POTENTIAL PARTNER FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE TECHNOLOGY PARK IN PUSTKOVEC
11 3 2024

THE CITY IS IN DISCUSSIONS WITH A POTENTIAL PARTNER FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE TECHNOLOGY PARK IN PUSTKOVEC

City representatives have commenced negotiations on the contract terms for the sale of a site that will expand the Technology Park in Ostrava-Pustkovec. The City Council, in its second February meeting, decided to start discussions on acquiring property with CTP Invest, spol. s. r. o.

The Slovak Ambassador has visited Ostrava
7 3 2024

The Slovak Ambassador has visited Ostrava

The Ambassador of the Slovak Republic in the Czech Republic, Her Excellency Ingrid Brocková, recently visited Ostrava, where she was welcomed by the Mayor Jan Dohnal at the New City Hall. The Ambassador is an experienced diplomat who has previously represented Slovakia in the OECD. She was keen to discuss a range of regional and national-level issues.

Ostrava is reducing the number of people in precarious housing situations
7 3 2024

Ostrava is reducing the number of people in precarious housing situations

The City of Ostrava is actively helping people in precarious housing situations through a major social housing project. The City Authority provides various forms of support to people in different life situations, all designed to combat housing-related problems affecting Ostrava's citizens.

Much-needed parking spaces for Ostrava
23 2 2024

Much-needed parking spaces for Ostrava

600 new parking spaces will be created at a new parking garage near the Moravian-Silesian Regional Authority offices in Ostrava. Work on the new garage – which will replace an existing parking lot with 77 spaces – is set to begin soon, and completion is scheduled for the end of 2025.

Ostrava City Authority launches a new identity verification service using the electronic ID system
23 2 2024

Ostrava City Authority launches a new identity verification service using the electronic ID system

The new national electronic ID system (eDoklad) makes it possible to verify citizens’ identity and other legal information electronically. The City of Ostrava has decided not to wait until the legally stipulated deadline for introducing the service, and instead has chosen to implement the electronic system as soon as possible. The City’s intention is that every official at the City Authority will be able to carry out electronic ID verifications if their work requires this.

Work continues on the reconstruction of a major road in Mariánské Hory
6 2 2024

Work continues on the reconstruction of a major road in Mariánské Hory

Přemyslovců Street, a major transport artery running through the heart of Ostrava’s Mariánské Hory district, is undergoing a complete reconstruction. Benefits will include improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as newly planted trees and flowerbeds that will retain rainwater and create a more pleasant microclimate. New short-term parking spaces will be created outside local businesses, improving traffic flow along the road.

Ostrava’s partner city Split – seen through the eyes of a renowned photographer
6 2 2024

Ostrava’s partner city Split – seen through the eyes of a renowned photographer

The foyer of Ostrava’s New City Hall is currently home to an exhibition of photographs by the acclaimed Croatian photographer Fjodor Klarić capturing the unique beauty and fascination of the historic city of Split. This Adriatic port has been a partner city of Ostrava since 1976.

Ostrava's revitalized historic slaughterhouse is the Czech representative in a prestigious European competition
25 1 2024

Ostrava's revitalized historic slaughterhouse is the Czech representative in a prestigious European competition

The former city slaughterhouse, dating from the 19th century, has been completely transformed by a bold project to convert it into a new home for Ostrava's PLATO contemporary art gallery. The project has now been chosen as the sole Czech representative in the shortlist of nominations for the Mies van der Rohe Award. The finalists will be announced in early February, and the award ceremony will be held in May 2024 at Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion.

A tragic loss for Ostrava's theatrical scene
19 1 2024

A tragic loss for Ostrava's theatrical scene

The actor Norbert Lichý (* 29. 12. 1964) passed away on 16 January at the age of 59. He was a much-loved presence on both stage and screen, and he was closely associated with his hometown Ostrava.

Last year’s most popular baby names were Eliška and Jakub
11 1 2024

Last year’s most popular baby names were Eliška and Jakub

Last year, more boys (2 211) than girls (2 151) were born in Ostrava; this continued the trend from 2022. The most popular names given to baby girls were Eliška, Stela (Stella), Ema (Emma), Amálie, Viktorie, Anna, Sofie, Rozálie, Tereza and Julie. The most popular boys’ names in 2023 were Jakub (the same as in 2022), Matyáš, Dominik, Jan, Teodor (Theodor, Theo, Teo), Michal, Martin, Filip, Samuel and Oliver. 

City to help fund new apartments
11 1 2024

City to help fund new apartments

Ostrava is once again offering financial support for the creation of new apartments in non-residential buildings that have been vacant for a long time. Such conversion projects will help expand the range of affordable housing in the city. The funding programme is targeted at the renovation and revitalization of buildings that have demonstrably been vacant for long periods, and its focus is on providing affordable housing.

Ostrava’s zoo welcomed its 600 000th visitor on 26 December
8 1 2024

Ostrava’s zoo welcomed its 600 000th visitor on 26 December

In 2022, the number of annual visitors to Ostrava’s Zoological Garden and Botanical Park surpassed 600 000 for the first time – with the record falling just a couple of days before the end of the year. This year (2023), visitor numbers passed the 600 000 mark two days earlier than in 2022. Will the zoo set a new record in 2023?

Ostrava’s first new citizen in 2024 is the baby boy Gabriel
8 1 2024

Ostrava’s first new citizen in 2024 is the baby boy Gabriel

The first baby of 2024 born in Ostrava is a boy named Gabriel. The name is of Hebrew origin, meaning “God is powerful”. He was born on 1 January, just 39 minutes after midnight, at Ostrava’s University Hospital. Gabriel’s family lives in Ostrava-Jih, and he has a 2½ year-old brother.

Ostrava will host the 2025 Women’s World Floorball Championship
20 12 2023

Ostrava will host the 2025 Women’s World Floorball Championship

In 2025, the Women’s World Floorball Championship will return to the Czech Republic after a twelve-year gap. Like last time, the host cities will be Brno and Ostrava, with the final round of games to be played at the Ostravar Arena. Financial support from the Moravian-Silesian Region and the City of Ostrava will be a key factor in the tournament’s success.

Advent meeting of foster carers in Ostrava
20 12 2023

Advent meeting of foster carers in Ostrava

For several years now, children under age 3 experiencing crisis situations have not been placed in institutional care, but have instead been looked after by temporary foster carers. This year, foster carers in Ostrava have provided temporary care for 37 children, and a further 45 children have been placed with foster carers in other parts of the Moravian-Silesian Region.