Discover the Czech Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan!

Czech Pavilion: A Spiral Beauty of Wood and Glass

The Czech national pavilion was crafted by the talented design studio, Apropos Architects, which envisioned the structure as a graceful spiral constructed from sustainable materials—wood and glass. This exquisite wooden design not only stands as an architectural marvel but also beautifully embodies the pavilion’s central theme: Talent and Creativity for Life.

Inside, guests can explore an interactive exhibition that seamlessly intertwines Czech art, artistic glasswork, science, and nature. As they step inside, they will be greeted by a monumental crystal sculpture from the renowned glass designer Rony Plesl—replicas of tree trunks expertly cast in transparent glass using the innovative Vitrum Vivum technique. Along the exhibition’s path, more of his stunning glass artworks will be exhibited, along with the iconic Nude on a Rock piece by the esteemed Art Nouveau artist, Alfons Mucha.

Mucha’s Inspiration, A Show, and Mascot René

The exhibition route draws creative inspiration from Alfons Mucha’s unfinished triptych, The Three Ages, culminating in a spectacular over 200-meter-long mural crafted by artist Jakub Matuška, known as Masker. The immersive experience will be further enhanced by innovative installations from Lunchmeat Studio. Visitors will also find the “Herbarium” installation presented by the prestigious glassmaking firm Lasvit, which showcases a unique technique that encapsulates the delicate beauty of plants encased in glass.

The beloved mascot of the Czech pavilion is Exponaut René, a charming green plush character inspired by the creations of René Roubíček, a luminary in Czech glassmaking whose artistry captured international acclaim at Expo 1958 in Brussels. This vibrant green figure is reminiscent of uranium glass (which emits a glow under UV light)—a material that Roubíček was a pioneer in experimenting with in Czechoslovakia. René’s backstory is rooted in the enchanting Crystal Valley, noted as the birthplace of Czech crystal.

Glass at Every Turn

Throughout the day-to-day activities at the pavilion, exquisite glass artifacts are omnipresent. At the delightful rooftop bar, which boasts a captivating view of the entirety of the Expo site, patrons can savor unique cocktails served in hand-blown original glassware from the renowned Harrachov glassworks. Guests will enjoy beverages in glasses crafted by the famous Květná 1794 glassworks while dining at the pavilion’s restaurant. Additionally, the pavilion showcases the stunning Crystal Grid installation by Preciosa.

Pork-Dumpling-Bao: Czech Cuisine with an Asian Twist

The culinary experience will undoubtedly be one of the standout features of the Czech pavilion. Skilled Czech chefs are fully prepared to serve a remarkable number of hungry visitors—anticipating up to 2,000 meals and 5,000 half-litre glasses of beer every day. The menu showcases Czech culinary delights presented in a contemporary style with an intriguing Asian influence. Diners can expect to find dishes such as:

• Potato dumplings paired with smoked meat and red cabbage

• Pork-dumpling-bao: a delightful combination of traditional Czech roast pork served in an Asian bao bun

• Homemade head cheese complemented by sweet-and-sour marinated trout

• Sweet yeast dumplings filled with vanilla custard or buns stuffed with plum jam or quark

Accompanying these culinary delights, Pilsner Urquell will be available on tap, alongside a select variety of wines from the Thaya winery.

Fashion: Work Overalls with a Designer’s Signature Touch

The uniforms for the pavilion staff were crafted by the award-winning designer Jan Černý, who artfully combined aspects of traditional Czech work overalls with iconic Japanese workwear. His collection for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris was lauded as one of the Top 3 best Olympic outfits by Time magazine.

Culture for Everyone

Throughout a remarkable 26-week period, over 200 artists will showcase their talents at the Czech pavilion. This extensive program will encompass a variety of activities, including musical performances, theatrical productions, and cross-genre exhibitions—ranging from traditional to contemporary music, as well as puppet theater. A major highlight will be the celebration of the Czech Republic’s National Day on July 24, 2025—commemorating the 165th birthday of the illustrious Alfons Mucha. This event will feature spectacular performances by the Czech Philharmonic, the contemporary circus troupe Cirk La Putyka, the Czech Radio Children’s Choir, and the talented singer Aiko.

Cultural Program: From Christmas to Kingdom Come

From May 3-6, 2025: In collaboration with CzechTourism, one of the pavilion’s partners, a special program focusing on Czech culture and traditional craftsmanship is set to take place. Notable highlights will include a live demonstration of glassmaking from the Liberec Region, featuring the time-honored tradition of crafting Christmas decorations by the Rautis company in Poniklá, recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Additionally, visitors will witness the intriguing intersection of cultural history and the present day through a feature on the Czech gaming industry, with a spotlight on the immensely popular title Kingdom Come: Deliverance developed by Warhorse Studios.
The lineup will also feature a meet-and-greet session with Czech baseball players currently playing in Japanese leagues, engaging puppet theater performances, a rendition of the play Audience by President Václav Havel performed by Japanese students studying Czech, and a captivating concert showcasing Czech classical music.

On May 8, 2025: Czech partners will convene with Japanese travel agency representatives; this networking gathering will culminate in a festive reception.

June 4–6, 2025: Three dedicated days will celebrate Czech gastronomy, brewing traditions, and the various rich flavors found throughout the Czech Republic.

June 16–18, 2025: The vibrant city of Brno will take center stage, showcasing itself as a hub of science, culture, and creative industries.

September 2–7, 2025: The Plzeň Region will present an exhilarating program spotlighting the cultural traditions, crafts, and heritage of West Bohemia.

Traces of Past Success: Brussels in Prague

The Czech Republic, which was formerly known as Czechoslovakia, boasts a rich and illustrious legacy at World Expositions. At Expo 1958 in Brussels, the Czechoslovak pavilion dazzled visitors and was awarded the highest honor, the Grand Prix. Once the exhibition concluded, this modern pavilion found a new home in Prague, where it currently stands in Letná Park and operates as an art gallery.
Visitors can enjoy a scenic stroll to this pavilion, which provides a breathtaking view of Prague, easily combining it with a visit to the iconic Prague Castle, and continuing through Letná to the trendy neighborhood of Holešovice. Alternatively, you might approach from New Town, taking a moment to admire the stunning Art Nouveau Municipal House along the way.