Horizons 2016 will be incomparable due to its location in historically unique premises of the Hlubina coal mine in Ostrava. Hlubina coal mine is a plant which isn't used (since as early as 1990s') for coal mining as you may expect. Premises of the former coal mine were reconstructed in 2015 in order to become a “creative neighborhood” - a venue for various cultural, artistic and educational events. The reconstruction was so successful that it has earned an award for the best building of the year in 2015.

photo no.1 © CC BY-SA 3.0, author: Boris Renner, source here..
photo no.2 © CC BY-SA 3.0, author: Jan Groh, source here..

more Hlubina coal mine photos here..

Hlubina coal mine is located in a wider area called Lower Vítkovice which was declared a National Cultural Heritage in 2002. As well as Ostrava itself, this area is adherent to coal mining and steel industry which started here in 1828. Technological plants including Hlubina coal mine, Blast furnace and Coking plant were closed down in 1998 after 170 years of continuous production and underwent reconstructions not until recent years. Large cultural events such as Colours of Ostrava festival are held here. Whole area is accessible 24 hours a day. Therefore in between workshops or afterwards you will be allowed to enjoy unique atmosphere of this space you will not find in any other city in the Czech Republic.

  
photo no.3 © CC BY-SA 3.0, author: Honza chodec, source here..
photo no.4 © CC BY-SA 3.0, author: Honza chodec, source here..
photo no.5 © CC BY 3.0 CZ, author: Lukáš Mižoch, source here..

 
photo no.6 © CC BY-SA 3.0, author: Alena Hanzlová, source here..
photo no.7 © CC BY-SA 3.0, author: Alena Hanzlová, source here..

more Lower Vítkovice area photos here..

The Horizons will be held in so called Old Bathrooms, the first buildings where miners used to enter when coming for a shift. Here they used to change their clothes before going down and then after each shift to wash down the coal dust. Not far from here there is a café called Maryčka where you can get good coffee, beer or other refreshments.

Old bathrooms photos here..

There is an inspiring team of cultural promoters, professionals as well as dedicated activist, which has grown around the Hlubina coal mine and participates in its development. These people create a unique community as well as a venue full of space for imagination, social and cultural topics and especially for encounters and dialogue. We believe that Horizons will feel like home here and the place itself will contribute a lot to the collaborative atmosphere of the event.