Braník Iceworks: The locals are bothered by the noise from the concerts, they also wrote a petition
After more than a year of cultural fasting that caused the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent measures against its spread, concerts and smaller festivals started at full speed this summer. Some clubs, such as Lucerna Music Bar (LMB), have even opened their summer stages and people have moved from the underground clubs to the fresh air. Last year Lucerna had its summer open air branch at the Exhibition Grounds, this season it moved to Ledárny Braník. The abandoned area for many years, suddenly came to life again, unfortunately, some are enthusiastic about, the other is not too sorry.
Noise petition
Residents from the vicinity of Braník Iceworks, but also those who live beyond the river in Barrandov, they complain about the constant noise caused by frequent concerts. They have even gone so far as to create a special website where they provide all the information and petitions.
“Our goal is the definitive end of the year-round music festival in Ledárny Braník and other festivals in this locality, which officials are preparing for us for this and the next years. That is, permanent concerts in the wider center of the capital, moreover in the place of the river valley and ensuring peace for the citizens living in the vicinity of this locality, “asks the organizers of the petition, represented by Veronika Cibulová.
On their website, the petitioners also mention that the summer scene has moved from the Exhibition Center to Braník this year, mainly because they have had enough noise at the Exhibition Center. “In the original place of work in Prague 7, there was no longer much political will to allow thirty original concerts at once with one signature. So we started looking for another place and found Ledárny Braník. And out of thirty events, there are already seventy. We managed to build a brand new complex, which is larger than the one at the Exhibition Center. We are alone in it, we have the support of the city district of Prague 4 and also the Prague councilor for culture Hanka Třeštíková, “they quote the organizer Michal Topol, who delivered for Právo in mid-June.
Reducing the number of concerts
Blesk also turned to the city district, asking if the interests of its citizens in the municipality would be more important. The point is that part of the land belongs to the municipality, part to the private owner. The concerts are, of course, legal and under contract. The inhabitants of the area are mainly bothered by the fact that the noise is permanent, practically the whole summer.
“Music production held on private land is not subject to approval by the Prague 4 district. Therefore, the organizer did not apply for a permit from the Prague 4 city district and the Prague 4 city district did not approve it, nor did it issue any permit.. On the issue of noise, which residents from the vicinity of the ice cream parlors complain about, I can say that the city district does not have the competencies you are asking about. Compliance with applicable legislation, including current restrictions issued in connection with the coronavirus epidemic, is monitored by the police, resp. city police, or hygiene, “said Jiří Bigas, a spokesman for Prague 4, for Blesk.
“However, the organizer of the concerts was warned by the Prague 4 District Office that it was necessary to comply with all applicable legal regulations and music production ends no later than 22:00. In the interview, the director of the district police directorate in Prague 4 assured Mayor Irena MIchalcová, ž.e city police regularly drive to the place after 10 pm“, the spokesman added.
Representatives of the city district also want to appeal to the municipality that the number of concerts be limited until next year. “The municipality may decide to reduce the frequency of concerts next year, at least from the Prague 4 District Office, he will hear such an appeal repeatedly. If you repeat it yourself as a citizen, we will only be happy, because we are in it together, “said Tomáš Hrdinka (YES), councilor for the environment.