The deadline for works at the National Theater is postponed, 200 thousand euros of additional work

One of the largest capital investments in cultural infrastructure turns out that it cannot be closed even with 7 million euros. The Ministry of Culture, through negotiation, will add another 198 thousand and 516 euros to carry out additional work on the building that is a monument. The works have been entrusted to “LimitProject Sh.PK”, a company that together with “Rinesa Sh.PK” is carrying out the works. The works, which started in early October last year, more than two years after the building was locked down – allegedly due to danger, a finding that does not exist in professional reports – turn out to be impossible to complete for 12 months, as stipulated in the contract worth 6 million and 994 thousand and 937 euros.

The cost of restoring the building of the National Theater of Kosovo has increased by 200 thousand euros. The completion period of the works has also been extended. It turns out that one of the largest capital investments in cultural infrastructure cannot be completed even with 7 millionë euros. The Ministry of Culture will add another 198 thousand through negotiation. and 516 euros që Additional work to be carried out on the building, which is a monument. The work has been entrusted to “LimitProject Sh.PK”, a company that together with “Rinesa Sh.PK” is carrying out the works.

The works, which began in early October last year, more than two years after the building was locked down - allegedly due to danger, a finding that does not exist in professional reports - appear unlikely to be completed within 12 months, as stipulated in the contract worth 6 million, 994 thousand, 937 euros.

The TKK building in the center of Pristina now looks like a ruin due to demolition interventions, to pave the way for restoration. Strengthening the statics is a noticeable thing that is being done to the structures.

According to the company "LimitProject Sh.PK", which has held the keys to the building since September 13 of last year, during the implementation of works at TKK, after the start of the demolition phase, several unclear positions and the absence of several elements in the preliminary measurements and the initial project were identified.

"These positions have proven to be additional work necessary for the full implementation of the intervention," said Lulzim Zaraj from this company, through a written response.

According to him, as is known, projects related to interventions in cultural heritage objects often encounter situations where final positions and solutions can only be determined after physical interventions, cleaning and detailed inspection on the ground.

“Because the Law on Cultural Heritage provides for stricter procedures and extended deadlines for approvals, we had to wait for the relevant approval before continuing with the additional works. This process has affected the postponement of the deadline for the completion of the works, in accordance with the deadline for the request for additional works and the date of their signing,” the response reads. According to him, all procedures were carried out in accordance with the laws in force and the relevant legal requirements, respecting the standards and regulations for interventions in cultural heritage objects. The company was once rejected for its offer because the current amount did not match that of the basic contract. But then they came to an agreement with the MCYS. The difference in price is 1500 euros cheaper. The additional works include demolition, plastering and several other activities.

KOHA also asked the Ministry of Culture about this case on Monday. But, as usual, this institution did not respond.

The project, designed by university professors from the Faculties of Architecture, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, preserves the current form of the building from the 40s. The additions were made from the back in an annex added in the 80s. The new architecture, based on the needs of the institution, does not exceed the current highest point of the monument. During a closed presentation in early April last year, Professor of Civil Engineering, Naser Kabashi, said that something possible has been done given the existing conditions. 

According to the project, the changes in the internal organization highlight that the space that was a buffet and a fondus, merge into a rehearsal room. The alternative stage turns out to be the former hall of the National Ballet of Kosovo, while the interpolation includes the so-called “Green Room” where, among other things, there will be a reading room and a “media facade”, a facade that provides opportunities for advertising performances on screens. It is the addition where the material “corten” – steel known for such interventions – dominates.

Some groupings of new alcoves of the theater will be wrapped with "corten". 

“Atop the cage of the preserved annex from the 80s, the ‘Green Room’ is created – a multi-purpose space for the theater troupe, and in the southern segment, a new segment about 20 meters long is built on two floors, which is formed as an additional space for the theater troupe and for the apartments above in the attic. These two segments are connected into a single structure through the materiality of the corten sheath that wraps them, so that they appear as a single interpellated structure,” the project states. According to this document, three types of corten panels will be applied: solid panels, which will be placed where complete closure of surfaces is required, panels with sparse reinforcement to control light in some segments of the “Green Room” cover.

During the clarifications of the project, the drafters announced that the additions will be made of concrete. 
The TKK building was closed by the Ministry of Culture in July 2022, on the grounds that it posed a danger. This was a false justification, as the report of university professors did not state this. In May 2022, a group of professors from the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Pristina submitted a report on the condition of the building to the Ministry of Culture.

The Board of Directors of the National Theatre of Kosovo, together with the Ministry of Culture, have closed the building of the highest theatre institution. At least the professionals who were called to assess the physical condition of the building have not recommended closure. It has not been found that the building as a whole poses a risk to workers and the public, nor is the situation alarming. The report, officially titled “Assessment of the physical condition of the building of the National Theatre of Kosovo, drafting of terms of reference (TOR) and identified immediate interventions”, does not state that the building poses a risk to workers or the public. The detailed report reveals the condition of each part of the building. It concludes that most parts need intervention. A series of recommendations have been given for this.

Since the post-war period, the National Theater of Kosovo has been renovated six times. In 2010, 150 thousand euros were spent on what was called a renovation. Then there was a renovation in 2015, the first renovation after the war was in 2000, to continue in 2004 and 2007. In 2022, there was also a renovation of the sanitary facilities and bathrooms of the Ballet.

Since September 2022, the theater has been moved to what is now called the Amphitheater of the National Theater of Kosovo, in the Palace of Youth and Sports.