ŽIVÁ VILA

The Živá vila association has since 2015 been persistently working to preserve, culturally revive, and ensure the meaningful use of the unique premises of Krala's Villa in Prachatice.

Once a grand First Republic residence not far from the railway station, the building is considered one of the most valuable purist-functionalist structures in South Bohemia, yet it is under threat of demolition due to an outdated and problematic road bypass construction plan.

Thanks to a lease agreement, the association was able to care for the building and its surroundings in 2014–2016 and again from 2020 to the present day, maintaining the house and its grounds and preventing unnecessary deterioration. Through the organisation of cultural, social, and educational events, it restores meaningful use to the building. Once a year the multigenre music festival Vivat Vila! takes place here, consistently ranked among the best alternative festivals in the country, and thanks to which Prachatice transforms for one weekend each year from a sleepy small town into a lively, pulsating city full of young people.

Throughout the rest of the year, cultural and community events take place at the villa — concerts, exhibitions, literary readings, fireside gatherings, and more. Behind the house, the association runs a community garden called "Bílý vigvam" (White Wigwam) with a children's playground, offering leisure space for families with children and beyond.