Kino Vzlet

Kino Vzlet (also known as Vzlet, Bio Vzlet, or Produkční dům Vzlet) is a cultural centre located at the corner of Holandská and Norská streets near Heroldovy sady in Prague 10 – Vršovice, Czech Republic. It was built in 1921 as a Sokol cinema in the Art Deco style by builder Bohumil Hrabě. The cinema's profits in 1932 helped fund the construction of a new Sokol Vršovice building. The main hall contains a heritage-protected projection screen in the form of a unique plaster wall from 1923. Today, Vzlet operates as a multifunctional cultural centre and café, hosting concerts, theatre performances, discussions, conferences, community meetings, children's programmes, and other events. It also historically housed the first virtual reality hall. The venue is owned by the Prague 10 Municipal District and has been open in its current form since 1 September 2021, with the subtitle "Vršovická kulturní křižovatka" (Vršovice Cultural Crossroads). It was founded by three Prague cultural organisations: the authorial theatre Vosto5, the Baroque orchestra Collegium 1704, and the Vršovice cinema Kino Pilotů. The first director until 2022 was Petr Prokop, followed by Alžběta Macolová and Jan Macola. Vzlet also includes a gallery with site-specific works on its façade and exhibitions in the large foyer and the Rohovka space. Another project, Brejlando, brings theatre experiences in virtual reality. The venue's programme includes theatre, music, exhibitions, educational programmes, and dance, with a strong community focus.

The building that now houses Vzlet was constructed in 1921 as a Sokol cinema in the Art Deco style, designed by builder Bohumil Hrabě. It was part of a larger Sokol complex; the land had been donated to the local Sokol by the Vršovice municipality in 1902. The cinema opened in 1921, and the building also contained changing rooms, storage for exercise equipment, and meeting rooms for the Sokol unit. In 1932, the cinema's profits funded the construction of a new Sokol Vršovice building. The main hall features a unique plaster wall from 1923 that served as a projection screen and is now heritage-protected. After 1948, the building was expropriated by the communist regime. The cinema operated until the mid-1970s, after which the space was used as a film archive storage. Following the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the building became the property of the City of Prague, which transferred it to the Prague 10 Municipal District on 31 January 2002 in a devastated condition. In 2007, the building was leased to architect and scenographer Michael Klang, who committed to reconstructing it into a cultural centre in exchange for a 15-year rent-free lease. A major reconstruction began between 2007 and 2009, designed by Klang himself. However, Klang ran out of funds, and at the end of 2012 the lease was cancelled, returning the building to Prague 10's administration. Due to allegedly unauthorised interventions, further modifications were required before opening. In 2016, the Office for the Protection of Competition fined Prague 10 CZK 100,000 because the additional reconstruction was not tendered under public procurement law. A new tender was later announced. The building was reconstructed by Prague 10 and ceremonially opened on 1 September 2021 for its new purpose as a multifunctional cultural centre. It received the subtitle 'Vršovická kulturní křižovatka' (Vršovice Cultural Crossroads) and provides space for live arts. The current Vzlet was founded by three Prague cultural organisations: the authorial theatre Vosto5, the Baroque orchestra Collegium 1704, and the Vršovice cinema Kino Pilotů. The first director until 2022 was Petr Prokop, a producer and member of Vosto5, who continues as programme director. The leadership was then taken over by Alžběta Macolová and Jan Macola. Vzlet also includes a gallery, with site-specific works on the façade (first by Krištof Kintera, followed by Eva Koťátková) and exhibitions in the large foyer and the Rohovka space. Artists exhibited include Vladimir 518, Vendula Chalánková, David Böhm, Jiří Franta, Alena Kotzmannová, and Jakub Bachorík. Another project, Brejlando, emerged during the pandemic and brings theatre experiences in virtual reality. The venue also historically housed the first virtual reality hall.

• Vršovice municipality donated land to the local Sokol for sports and cultural purposes.

• Construction of a summer exercise ground and cinema building began.

• The Sokol cinema opened in the Art Deco building designed by Bohumil Hrabě.

• A unique plaster wall serving as a projection screen was installed in the main hall.

• Cinema profits funded the construction of a new Sokol Vršovice building.

• The building was expropriated by the communist regime.

• The cinema ceased operations; the space was later used as film archive storage.

• After the Velvet Revolution, the building became property of the City of Prague.

• The building was transferred to the Prague 10 Municipal District in a devastated state.

• The building was leased to architect Michael Klang for reconstruction into a cultural centre.

• A major reconstruction took place, designed by Michael Klang.

• Klang's lease was cancelled due to lack of funds; building returned to Prague 10.

• Prague 10 was fined CZK 100,000 by the Office for the Protection of Competition for procurement violations.

• Vzlet opened as a multifunctional cultural centre after reconstruction by Prague 10.

• Petr Prokop stepped down as director; Alžběta Macolová and Jan Macola took over.

A community-oriented multifunctional cultural centre in Prague-Vršovice, blending historic cinema heritage with contemporary live arts and education.

• Theatre performances

  Regular theatre productions, including works by Vosto5 and other companies.

• Concerts

  Concerts, including performances by Collegium 1704.

• Exhibitions

  Art exhibitions in the gallery, foyer, and Rohovka space.

• Educational programmes

  Workshops and educational events for various audiences.

• Children's programmes

  Family and children's theatre and activities.

• Brejlando

  Virtual reality theatre experiences.

1. 1Official websitevzlet.cz
2. 2Wikidata entry for Kino Vzletwikidata.org
3. 3Czech Wikipedia article on Kino Vzletcs.wikipedia.org
4. 4PESTROBAREVNÝ (En Attendant la Marée! Company)vzlet.cz