31.03.2026
The Zlín City Theatre is preparing a major event as part of this year’s “Bata 150” celebrations. On Wednesday 1 April just two days before the 150th anniversary of Tomas Bata’s birth, the theatre will ceremoniously unveil a statue of Zlín’s most famous native son, created by academic sculptor Radim Hanke.
The unveiling will take place at 4:30 p.m. in the theatre foyer - symbolically at the site where Bata’s birthplace once stood and where the Zlín Theatre building stands today.
“We view the unveiling of the statue of Tomas Bata at the site where his birthplace once stood and where the theatre is now located as a powerful symbol of the connection between history, his entrepreneurial legacy, and the city’s cultural life. Tomas Bata realized that a prosperous society is built not only on the economy, but also on culture, education, and shared values. We are proud that it is here that we can commemorate and further develop his legacy,” revealed Irena Pelková, director of the Zlín City Theatre.
Tomas Bata was not only a visionary entrepreneur but also a man who understood the importance of culture for the development of society. He supported social life in the city, the establishment of cultural institutions, and education, and strove to make Zlín a modern city with a rich cultural life for its residents.
The statue was created by academic sculptor Radim Hanke, whose work has long focused on figurative sculpture and installations in public spaces. In his works, he combines traditional sculptural techniques with a sensitive perception of place and historical context.
The unveiling will take place in cooperation with the Thomas Bata Foundation. The event commemorates the legacy of Tomas Bata and his extraordinary contribution to the development of Zlín, entrepreneurship, and the city’s cultural life.
