Prague Tables and Chairs Are Back in Season

The Prague Tables and Chairs project is in its third year, and each year, interest in the project has grown. Citizens, associations, or cultural institutions are eligible to apply to be table and chair “operators”. This year, in addition to classical places such as Lesser Town Square or the Dejvice campus, it is possible to sit on one of the signature black chairs at up to 60 new locations; a large increase from the 2016 pilot season, which saw only 8 locations. This is due to skyrocketing interest in “hosting” the tables and chairs for the season by a variety of different institutions. New locations include the Albertov campus, Karlín Caserne, the Ďáblice settlement, and Strossmayer Square, among others. Also, for the first time, Prague tables and chairs are available for use by one-off, non-profit cultural and social events.

"The interest from managers and users shows that Prague citizens like to participate in the cultivation of public spaces, but also that quality seating in the city is still missing," explains Deputy Mayor Petra Kolínská.

"Last year’s season also brought a discovery. In select places, chairs and tables were placed loosely without chains; for instance, at the Emmaus Monastery, the Botanical Garden, and the Trade Fair Palace. This idea has proven to be successful, and that's why these places will grow," says Mayor Adriana Krnáčová.

Architects from the IPR Prague were inspired by projects in New York, Copenhagen, Zurich, and Stockholm. "We decided we would not lock the chairs and tables this year, much like they do in Copenhagen or New York. We believe Prague will appreciate having the city’s trust," explains Ondřej Boháč, Director of IPR Prague.

Therefore, users will find that the tables and chairs can be moved to enhance comfort; for instance, in the heat of the summer, they can be moved into the shade.

The rules for renting tables and chairs in 2018 can be found on the IPR Prague website. The current list of Prague table and chair locations and the evaluation of previous project seasons can be found at: www.iprpraha.cz/prazskezidle.