Constructing Slovakia: The story of Merina, Czernobyl of Michalovce, Project 566 Seats

directed by Jana Mináriková & Dušan Bustin, Paula Reiselová, Marek Moučka, 2022, SR, 78 minutes, Slovak language

Wednesday  / 20.00 / Kino inak A4 / 4 € / 2 €

Old factories, breweries, water tanks, mills, train stations, community centers or spas are an inseparable part of the Sovak landscapes, nature and towns. Oftentimes they end up becoming forgotten, abandoned and looted objects without doors or windows – even though they are a unique chronicle of the changing face of Slovakia in the 20th century. The locals from the housing estate SNP in Michalovce call it the Czernobyl of Michalovce, or a Ghost Town. It was started to be built in 1988 and planned to accommodate more than 40 000 people. As if a huge theater set piece, the memorial of revolution and a thorn in the flesh of its neighbors, it continues to wait in vain for its finalization.

The filming of the episode about Merina took place during the preparation of the demolition of some of the historical buildings in its production area. While it wasn’t the original intention, the story ended up including fights between the activists for keeping the buildings and developers who plan to build a hypermarket on the Merina’s estate.