The Bedřiška settlement was meant to serve as an example. Instead, it faces demolition.
President Petr Pavel has described the Bedřiška settlement as a unique example of how residents of a socially excluded area transformed their neighbourhood into a thriving community. In his view - and that of many others defending the settlement - Bedřiška should stand as a model of successful community life, not face demolition. So why is it being torn down, and is there still a chance to save it?
The former miners’ settlement of Bedřiška is located in Ostrava in the far east of the Czech Republic. It is home to only 55 residents and consists of so-called Finnish houses - simple wooden dwellings originally built for poor labourers. Despite its modest appearance, the neighbourhood has recently attracted significant media attention and sparked public debate, including internationally.
Over the past fifteen years, Bedřiška has changed from an excluded locality facing significant social and economic challenges, culminating in a 2010 arson attack on a Roma family’s home, into a peaceful community. Local resident Eva Lehotská, among others, succeeded in building a functioning community bringing together Roma and non-Roma families. This achievement was praised by President Pavel during his visit to the settlement last summer.
However, on November 12, Bedřiška awoke to the sound of excavators at the edge of the settlement. The demolition of vacant Finnish houses had begun, and it soon became clear that this was no routine maintenance but a major intervention. For resident spokesperson Eva Lehotská, the news came as a shock.
“What’s happening here was unannounced, surprising, and insensitive. Excavators came in without the residents being warned, especially in houses that are still inhabited. This could have endangered their health and even their lives.”
The former miners’ colony is owned by the city of Ostrava and administered by the district of Mariánské Hory, with residents living under rental agreements. According to independent mayor, Patrik Hujdus, the district council approved the demolition plan, and residents could have consulted the official notice board for information. Hujdus commented:
“It’s part of our approved strategy. I believe it will be finished within a month.”
The justification provided by the city and district authorities is that the area is a “strategic reserve” for future urban development. They also argue that the Finnish houses have exceeded their lifespan and that repairs would be too costly.
However, supporters of the Bedřika settlement strongly disagree. Soon after the demolition began, neighbours, activists, and volunteers arrived to protest. Several of them climbed onto the roof of one of the houses designated for demolition in an attempt to slow the process. Spokesperson for the supporters, Krištof Zvolánek, explained:
“Three houses were torn down yesterday, and more are to follow. The goal is to preserve the settlement as it is and to lead negotiations.”
After two weeks of protests, Lehotská announced that they had filed a complaint with the Regional Court against the building authority, arguing that the demolitions were not in accordance with the law. She stated:
“We have statements from a construction expert who found violations that could have caused injuries. What happened here was not demolition; it was a war against our own citizens.”
Mayor Hujdus initially stated that he did not want to escalate the situation and would allow the activists to remain on the roof. Days passed, the weather worsened, but the activists stayed put. After fifteen days of blocking the demolition, on November 27, the mayor urged the activists to end their protest. He then told journalists that he planned to request police assistance.
“I expect that next week we will ask the competent authorities to help restore the legal situation as required.”
Whether this will happen remains uncertain, but the activists will likely have to end their rooftop protest this week. The latest development came on December 1, when the Regional Court in Ostrava rejected a request for a preliminary injunction to protect a house in Bedřiška. According to Mayor Patrik Hujdus, the district authorities are discussing the next steps, but do not intend to change their position, which was confirmed on December 3 following a town hall meeting. Under its contract, the construction company has until Christmas to complete the demolitions.
The situation has sparked widespread public debate. President Petr Pavel expressed his support for the residents, stating on X that “instead of presenting Bedřiška as a model, we are destroying something that works.” Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková, the government’s outgoing Commissioner for Human Rights, has also voiced her support. Růžena Mužíková, a member of the Government Council for Roma Affairs, offered personal backing and visited the settlement, saying:
“Czech society should be ashamed of what is happening here. What they created could have served as a model of good practice, demonstrating that anything is possible when the city shows political will.”
Eva Lehotská emphasizes that the residents have not lost hope of saving Bedřiška, though frustration is becoming evident.
