• 29/03/2023
• By wizewebsite
• 354 Views

A piano stands in the center of Znojmo for a week. Constables hand out fines for playing<

The Piano on the Streets project of Prague cafe owner Ondřej Kobza has also expanded to Znojmo. The piano arrived at the Dyje department store last Monday and has been in use for the public since Wednesday. And there are already fines for disturbing the peace at night. One, a photocopy of which is available to the editors, is dated June 13 at 2:15 a.m. Five chords were all it took and the police were on the scene.

"I accept that it is disturbing the peace of the night, however, when there is no lock and you walk by, it is an attraction and you want to take a nap. One of the residents probably complained, because the police were there within about a minute. I asked if it couldn't be resolved by agreement, but they said no," describes the man who earned a fine for playing at night. He does not want to publicize his name.

Dissatisfied people took to the social network

He has already paid the two hundred crown fine. "On the one hand I was amused, on the other hand I did it with distaste, I don't think it needs to be solved like this," he added.

There was a wave of anger against the financial penalty on Facebook, where a photo of the block fine was circulated.

"If he plays well, let him play calmly until three," wrote user Iveta Zoli Holcmannová. "In Znojmo, there really can't be any culture and something happening. It works everywhere, but not here," sighed Zuzana Dohnalová. And more Facebook users were joining. "Art cannot be limited from - to," says the user with the nickname David David.

The initiators kept the first week for evaluation. They know that the police have taken action against night pianists, even on weekdays. "That's why, after the test week, we decided to lock the piano at ten o'clock in the evening. We want it not to disturb anyone. We respect the peace of the night and believe that in the coming days the piano will bring only joy," said Jakub Krainer, who, together with other enthusiasts, is also behind the import of the piano to Znojmo.

Piano until vintage

At the moment they are therefore looking for locksmiths who will lock the piano in the morning and in the evening. Krainer plans to hold an event at the piano once a month so he doesn't fall asleep. "It will be available until the vintage, then it will be stored until spring," he added.

The police did not say whether the residents complained about the players.

"From all the information, I can only say that one block fine was issued," informed the preventive officer of the city police. Unfortunately, the director is not present on Tuesday and I cannot provide information without his approval," preventionist Eva Smutná

Pianos in the streets are also known elsewhere in the region. For example, in Hodonín, it is located at the entrance to the library, so it is not accessible at night. Even in Břeclav, the piano stands in the passage in the library. In short, it is impossible to disturb the peace of the night.