On 22/11/1863 the festival opening of the venue of the new Prague mercantile society Merkur took place. Although notifications of the event appeared in the German-language newspaper Prager Morgenpost, the source did not publish any substantive report or review about the occasion. According to Prager Morgenpost 22/11/1863, the Society’s venue in the Bodenbacher Beer hall opened on that day, and a public notice from committee of Merkur appeared in that issue of the newspaper announcing: ‘„Merkur“ Today Opening Festival of the Society’s Venue. Postgasse Nr.299-1.’ The next mention of the event by Prager Morgenpost appeared in a further public notice published by the newspaper on 26/11/1863. In this the Committee off the new society thanked the many Prague societies and institutions contributing to the opening event. Interestingly the participating bodies came equally from both German and Czech sides of Prague society. Heartfelt thanks were said to be due to ‘in particular the worthy singing societies, to Mr Krén, Messrs Veit and Siegel, then to the privilege of the participation of gentlemen members and of worthy deputations from the „Měšťanská beseda“ [Civic Society – this was noted in Czech and not as the German ‘Bürgerresource’], of the German Gymnastic Society, of „Sokol“, the Reading Room of German Students, the Singing Society „Hlahol“, „Aede“, „Arion“, as well as all honoured guests. Which, if any, of these musical groups performed at the event is not mentioned by the source. Almost certainly the special occasion would have included some musical content.