Exhibition Opening – 50 Years of Hvězda Cinema
The exhibition commemorates the fifty-year history of the Hvězda Cinema – an architectural unique of the 1970s, built as both a modern city cinema and a nuclear fallout shelter. It traces its role in the life of industrial Přerov, the evolution of film technology, and the importance of the cinema as a meeting place across generations. The anniversary celebrations also include a presentation of historical projectors and a rich accompanying program that connects the past with the vibrant present of Hvězda Cinema. The exhibition opening will take place on May 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM at Přerov Castle. The exhibition will run from May 15 to November 15, 2026.
The Hvězda Cinema building was constructed in the mid-1970s as a modern municipal cinema and at the same time a civil defense nuclear shelter, which still makes it an architectural unique today. The building was completed in 1975, and the grand opening took place on December 21, 1976, from which point Hvězda began regular screenings for the people of Přerov. The fact that it also served as a shelter reflects the atmosphere of the 1970s, marked by the Cold War and an emphasis on preparedness for crisis situations. The shelter is still officially classified as functional and, if necessary, could accommodate up to 900 people, making it one of the largest civil defense shelters in Přerov.
In the 1970s, Přerov experienced a period of significant economic growth, particularly due to the development of the engineering and food industries, and the city established itself as an important industrial center of the region. In many families, work shifts alternated in factories and plants, and the opportunity to go to the cinema in the evening was a welcome escape from the work routine and an accessible form of entertainment for all generations. From the very beginning, Hvězda offered a large auditorium for more than four hundred viewers and screened premieres, children’s films, and popular foreign movies, making it a natural center for shared leisure time. At a time when home television programming was limited and strongly shaped by the period, a visit to the cinema was, for many families, a small celebration and an opportunity to meet friends and neighbors.
The fiftieth anniversary of Hvězda Cinema will not only be a moment of remembrance but also an opportunity for lively gatherings, with a diverse program being prepared not only for film enthusiasts of all generations. The celebrations were launched at the turn of 2025/2026 with an exhibition of projectors, which is not only the first sign of the festivities but will accompany cinema visitors throughout the entire year. The projection technology has been exhibited thanks to cooperation with the Comenius Museum in Přerov and the Přerov-based company Meopta. All the key projectors that people may remember from cinemas across Přerov are represented. The accompanying program will continue throughout 2026; specific events, screenings, and activities will be gradually announced, and visitors have much to look forward to. Highlights include a spring concert for the youngest audiences by Eliška and Tom, a February exhibition and talk by Radim Zapletal—who, together with his team, has created numerous ships and props for Czech and Hollywood film productions—as well as a themed photo corner, stylish retro merchandise, film delegations, and other events and competitions, such as a chance to win a private tour of the nuclear shelter with a surprise.
The curator of the exhibition is BcA. Svatava Měrková.
