Architecture Day Festival Unveils Forgotten Gems and Unconventional Architecture in Slovakia and the Czech Republic

The Architecture Day Festival has been organized in Slovakia since 2012, and nearly 200 events have been held as part of it. This year, the festival will take place in Banská Bystrica, Bardejov, Bratislava, Galanta, Humenné, Košice, Kremnica, Leopoldov, Martin, Nitra, Nová Dubnica, Partizánske, Piešťany, Poprad, Rajec, Revúca, Ružomberok, Šaľa, Topoľčany, Trenčín, Vráble, Tatranské Matliare, Zvolen, and Žilina.

The program’s diversity will be enriched with activities such as guided walks, workshops, children’s programs, and access to normally inaccessible buildings as part of the festival’s “Hooray Inside!” format.

FRANTIŠEK MAXMILIÁN KAŇKA

František Maxmilián Kaňka was born on August 19, 1674. This prominent Czech architect of the late Baroque period, after completing his studies abroad, collaborated on various projects with leading architects such as Giovanni Battista Alliprandi, Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel, and Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, as well as contemporary sculptors and painters.

His work, closely tied to his patrons, included both sacred commissions and secular buildings for the aristocracy. This year marks the 350th anniversary of his birth, and we will showcase a number of his works that stand as landmarks in the Czech landscape and cities.

JOSEF FANTA

Josef Fanta was Czech architect, painter, designer, and writer was part of the generation of artists associated with the National Theatre, who contributed to the construction and decoration of the building. Fanta closely collaborated with architect Antonín Weihl and continued the tradition of 16th-century Czech Renaissance.

From the early 20th century, he became a leading figure in Art Nouveau architecture. His work, characterized by Neo-Romantic and Art Nouveau elements, has left an indelible mark on both urban and regional architecture. He was also a significant patron of the arts and a staunch advocate for heritage preservation.

KAREL HUBÁČEK

Karel Hubáček as one of the most prominent architects of the second half of the 20th century, he made a significant mark on the history of architecture and engineering, influencing modern architecture in Czechoslovakia and beyond. This year marks the 100th anniversary of his birth, and the 14th edition of the festival reflects on his creative legacy, both individually and in connection with the SIAL studio.

He remains an inspiration not only as an architect but also as a leader who positively influenced many other architects and collaborators. He is the only recipient of the Perret Prize in Czechoslovakia for the construction of the Ještěd television tower and hotel, completed in 1973, which became a symbol of modern architecture and technological progress of its time.

FRANZ KAFKA

Franz Kafka remains one of the most inspirational writers of the 20th century. His literary works, often focused on existential anxiety, bureaucratic absurdity, and isolation, continue to resonate and influence various fields and figures, not only in culture and art. Kafka passed away on June 3, 1924, at the age of 40. This year marks the 100th anniversary of his death, and the 14th edition of the Architecture Day festival will, for the first time, connect architecture and literature through Kafka’s work.

Both the festival and this year’s theme are inspired by Kafka’s creations, especially his famous works such as The Trialand The Metamorphosis—short yet immensely influential pieces. The subtitle of this year’s festival, “The Process of Transformation,” reflects existential themes linked to the perception of the world.

The 14th edition of the Architecture Day festival is inspired by Franz Kafka this year

The 14th edition of the nationwide Architecture Day festival will once again offer hundreds of events in over 120 towns and cities across the Czech Republic and Slovakia. From Friday, September 27, to Thursday, October 3, 2024, the festival’s packed program will explore forgotten and overlooked places, or present well-known buildings from new perspectives. This year’s festival motto, “The Process of Transformation,” also commemorates the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death. The festival will not only highlight buildings associated with Kafka but also invite visitors to places with a Kafkaesque atmosphere or those related to literature.

This year’s 14th edition of the festival Architecture day will take place under the subtitle  “Proces proměny” (Process of Transformation). It refers, among other things, to the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death, which will be one of the main program lines. The festival will not only remind attendees of structures associated with this author or buildings related to literature but will also invite them to places with a Kafkaesque atmosphere. Other program sections will be dedicated, for example, to the work of architects Josef Fanta, Karel Hubáček, and their collaborators.

The largest architectural festival in our country last year offered over 500 events in more than a hundred cities across the entire republic and Slovakia, attracting 35 thousand visitors. Interested participants can look forward to various architectural walks, excursions with architects and experts on the topic, and other events at the turn of September and October this year, from Friday, September 27, to Thursday, October 3, 2024.