In a surprising turn of events, the (A)void Floating Gallery, a beloved cultural landmark on Prague’s Rašín Embankment, has been served an eviction notice. Trade Centre Praha (TCP), the company managing Prague’s riverbanks, has terminated the lease agreements with the Dvojka sobě association, which operates the floating gallery near the railway bridge.
The gallery, known for hosting public readings by contemporary authors, has been a fixture on the Vltava River since 2012. TCP spokesperson Ondřej Šrámek cited “repeated and serious violations” of contract terms as the reason for the eviction. However, Ivo Slavík, the boat’s operator, dismisses these claims as absurd.
This isn’t the first time (A)void has faced eviction threats. A similar situation arose in 2020, but public support, including a petition signed by about 4,000 people, helped the gallery retain its spot. TCP alleges that the tenant has been repeatedly asked to address rule violations, particularly concerning the operation of a sauna and hosting unannounced events.
Slavík argues that while they rent the riverbank edge from the city through TCP, the company shouldn’t have complete control over the boat’s activities, especially in a public space. He maintains that the sauna operation was not improper.
The eviction notice has sparked concern among supporters who view (A)void Floating Gallery as an irreplaceable cultural space. Many credit the boat with significantly contributing to the embankment’s popularity and elevating its cultural offerings without being overly commercial. The potential loss of this unique venue has been described by some as “catastrophic” for the area’s cultural landscape.
As it stands, the boat’s lease is set to end on Monday, November 11, with two adjacent vault spaces following in December. While TCP acknowledges the gallery’s role in pioneering cultural life along Prague’s riverbanks, they insist they cannot give it preferential treatment.