Unique socialist chandeliers in House of Culture shine anew thanks to renovation
The next stage of the reconstruction of the town's House of Culture is taking place in Ostrov near Karlovy Vary. A group of North Bohemian restorers is dismantling unique glass chandeliers from the period of socialist realism. The dismantled luminaires will be transported to the restoration workshops in Nový Bor, where they will undergo thorough renovation.
The chandeliers, designed by architect Jaroslav Kraus, have had a long and turbulent history, during which they have survived numerous changes in political leadership but have also suffered significant damage.
Martin Jirášek spoke to Czech Radio on where they are taking the chandelier:
“Part of it will be transported to Kamenický Šenov, to the studio, and part to the studio in Prague. The generally damaged parts of the glass will need to be addressed: the chipped pieces will be sanded, and the cracked ones will be remade according to the original.”
Jirášek further commented on the miraculous fact that the chandelier survived in such a good condition for so long.
“I'm sure it's a miracle. At the beginning of the 90s, the chandeliers were being restored because many parts were already broken and destroyed. At that time, the greatest threat was probably the loss of these artifacts, but thanks to the then director of the House of Culture, Mr. Polidníček, these chandeliers were saved, repaired, and can continue to serve.”
Historian Lubomír Zeman adds that the unique chandeliers were made by North Bohemian glassmakers from Kamenický Šenov. Most of them were preserved thanks to early intervention in the early 1990s, when broken parts were repaired or added.
“Exceptionally, they are from the time of their creation. They were designed by the architect of this building, Jaroslav Krauz, who tried to adhere to the style of social realism. However, he completed them according to his own designs directly at the glassworks in Kamenický Šenov.”
The whole process, including dismantling and refurbishment, should take approximately six weeks. Once completed, the chandeliers will return to the renovated environment of the cultural centre, where they will continue to recall the socialist period and the artistic style of the time.
