This Summer You Can Spend Three Months Rent-FREE in Český Krumlov

A Czech artist is hiring families to spend the summer in one of the country’s busiest tourist destinations as part of a new project exploring displacement and the changing face of mass tourism.

Český Krumlov is one of the Czech Republic’s most visited destinations: with 13,000 inhabitants – this city is visited by around two million tourists every year. 

Brno-based artist Kateřina Šedá is searching for “normal people” to spend three months living rent-free in the centre of Český Krumlov. Participants will be paid to carry out their everyday activities in the historic city centre, which has seen many residents forced out to the suburbs amid growing waves of visitors.

“I will offer residents starter apartments, which are usually provided to young families and the socially excluded. I’m also offering them jobs on the basis of what Krumlov most needs – and that is the pursuit of normal life. They will do this in the centre during the high tourist season and we’ll pay them for it,” said the artist. 

Šedá says that the project — titled UNES-CO — doesn’t criticise the tourism industry, but seeks solutions to calm tensions between locals and visitors by inviting tourists to pause and experience the town like a native.

The application, in Czech, is here

Author: red