Architect and preservationist Jan Hird Pokorny remembered at NY gathering

A memorial is being held in New York on Thursday for Jan Hird Pokorny, a renowned Czech-born architect who died last month at the age of 93. He was a member of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, while his firm Jan Hird Pokorny Associates won admiration for restoring and adapting historic buildings. Speaking to Radio Prague three years ago, he outlined his view of preservation:

Jan Hird Pokorny

“We have to maintain historic landmarks to be reminded of our past. To do it successfully, we have to keep these old buildings alive - that means they have to serve a purpose, they have to be part of our society, they have to continue to be part of the city. That takes a certain amount of effort. That's the secret of preservation: you preserve the character of the building to remind you of the past, but the building has to be part of the community. And that's the whole secret."

Mr Pokorny was for many years the president of the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association, the leading Czech organisation in New York. The association is hosting a gathering in the late architect’s honour on Thursday. Ahead of the memorial, I spoke to Joseph Balaz, the man who succeeded Mr Pokorny as president:

“Jan Pokorny was basically our leader, our mentor. Ever since I started working with him I appreciated how well he handled all the obstacles that the organisation faced, how he handled other people. He always had a cheerful view of the world.”

I was reading in his New York Times obituary that he left Czechoslovakia in 1939. It seems incredible to me that he stayed so active in Czech circles for so many decades – it was nearly 70 years.

“I would say he clearly understood where he came from. He was proud of being a Czech, he was proud of where he came from and that was his driving force, I would say.”

I know on Thursday you’re holding a memorial for Jan Hird Pokorny. What form will it take?

“It’s actually called a celebration of life. We want people to remember beautiful moments with Jan. It will be held in a very upbeat and positive atmosphere. That is how we all remember Jan and want to remember him.”