In Vitebsk, the building of the former cheder where Marc Chagall studied has been sold
A historical monument in the center of Vitebsk, where the world-renowned artist comprehended the basics of science, and where officials had promised for years to create a museum, has been sold to become a hotel.
Electronic auctions for the sale of the former Jewish school building at Kalinina Street, 1 took place on July 17. The initial price of this historical lot was 814 thousand rubles.
Two applications were registered for participation in the auction. As a result of the bidding, the sale price increased by almost 10% and amounted to 895,341.88 BYN (about 310 thousand dollars equivalent).
The new owner is expected to carry out a large-scale reconstruction, as a result of which a multifunctional complex with a hotel and a public catering establishment should appear in the building with an area of almost 500 square meters.
They are given a little more than three years to implement the project — the complex must be put into operation no later than December 31, 2029.
Until 1917, a cheder operated here — a traditional religious primary school where Marc Chagall studied from the age of three to thirteen. The eminent sculptor Ossip Zadkine also received his education within these walls, and among the teachers was the grandfather of British philosopher Isaiah Berlin.
In Soviet and post-Soviet times, the city's radio broadcasting center operated within the historic walls. After its closure, the architectural monument began to fall into disrepair. In the past decade, Vitebsk authorities have repeatedly announced grandiose plans to create a museum of Yudl Pen here and include the building in the tourist museum quarter. However, no money was found for the ambitious projects.
Comments