Pl. Kniazia Yaroslava Osmomysla – cinema (no longer exists) ID: 1701
A cinema operated in the building on what is today pl. Yaroslava Osmomysla under various names and ownerships: "Olimpia" (1911–1913), "Kino Ludowe" (1913–1916, 1918), and "Syrena" (1916–1918).
Story
Founded in 1911 by Melchior Meiblum in the former backstage prop warehouse of the Skarbek Theater at pl. Krakowska 12 (no longer standing), the "Olimpia" cinema was one of the first permanent movie theaters to offer patrons enhanced comfort (in contrast to the poorly ventilated and inconvenient early store-front cinemas).
In 1913, ownership transferred to the Merchants' Association (Pol. Spółka Kupiecka), and subsequently to the limited liability company Volks Kino GmbH in Lemberg (Robert Steiner, Seweryn Wajdowski, and the engineering firm of O. Piotrowski/Spółka Kino Ludowe, Robert Steiner, Seweryn Wajdowski, Inż. O. Piotrowski. Przedstawicielstwo robót elektrycznych we Lwowie), at which point it was renamed "Kino Ludowe". In 1916, ownership reverted to M. Meiblum under the name "Syrena". Records show that by 1918, the cinema was once again operating under the name "Kino Ludowe".
State Archives of Lviv Oblast (ДАЛО), Fund 1, Inventory 56, File 436:
Folio 7:
To the Police Directorate in Lviv
No. 65 796/19, Lviv, February 22, 1920
To the Governorship in Lviv
I hereby inform you that since 1917, the Regional Society of Men and Ladies of the Red Cross in Lviv has been continuously operating two cinemas in Lviv: one at ul. Akademicka 8 under the name "Kino Chimaera", managed by Emil Maciulski, an electromechanic; and another at pl. Krakowska 11 under the name "Kino Olimpia", managed by Jan Wissmüller, an assistant at the Municipal Electrical Works. As the matter of renewing the license is currently relevant, the license has been extended through the end of 1921.
Chronology of Name Changes:
1911–1913 — "Olimpia"
1913–1914 (?) — "Kino Ludowe (Volkskino)"
1914 (?)–1917 — "Syrena" (1)
1918 — "Kino Ludowe" (at least through November 1918)
In 1915, showtimes began at 3:00 PM.
People
Melchior Meiblum –– owner of a chain of movie theaters in Lviv.
Robert Steiner –– member of the LLC "People's Cinema in Lviv".
Seweryn Wajdowski –– member of the LLC "People's Cinema in Lviv" (Ger. Volks Kino GmbH in Lemberg).
