Iconic (A)void Floating Gallery Faces Eviction from Prague’s Náplavka

The City of Prague’s management company, Trade Centre Prague (TCP), has terminated the lease of the (A)void Floating Gallery, a well-known cultural venue located on a ship moored at Náplavka.

TCP cited “repeated and serious violations” of lease terms as the reason behind the decision, affecting not only the ship but also the gallery and bar operated in nearby quayside vaults.

Dispute Over Contract Violations

Ondřej Šrámek, TCP’s spokesperson, stated that the decision followed years of issues with the venue’s compliance. These included unannounced events. However, Ivo Slavík, operator of the (A)void Floating Gallery, dismissed TCP’s claims, calling the assertion of “gross violation of the contract” absurd.

Slavík emphasized that similar tensions arose in 2020 when TCP also attempted to evict the gallery but ultimately reconsidered after a petition with over 4,000 signatures defended the space.

“This is a public area,” Slavík argued. “The quayside lease shouldn’t give TCP the right to control everything happening on board. It’s not as though we’re engaged in anything unethical or inappropriate.”

TCP Stands Firm on Lease Termination

TCP manager Martin Habřinský clarified the company’s stance, saying, “Lease termination is always a last resort, but repeated violations of conditions cannot be ignored. We aim to preserve order along the embankment and ensure public spaces are used properly.”

Habřinský added that while the (A)void Floating Gallery was among the first to introduce cultural programming to Prague’s embankments, TCP is obligated to enforce the same rules for all tenants.

The lease for the boat expires on Monday, November 11, while leases for adjacent cabins are set to end in December. TCP also stated that the gallery’s footprint had exceeded the approved area limits, further justifying the termination.

A Cultural Space Under Threat

Supporters argue that (A)void Floating Gallery is irreplaceable. The boat, which has been moored at Rašín Embankment since 2012 and recently underwent extensive repairs, has become a key cultural venue offering literary readings, music events, and exhibitions. Many believe that the gallery has elevated the embankment’s cultural appeal and played a pivotal role in its popularity, all without becoming overly commercialized.

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