A Czech board game inspired by Asian puppet theatre is set to conquer Japan as part of the national pavilion exhibition

The entertaining game, designed as a puppet duel, emerged as a family collaboration between Petr and Radovan Valla, father and son. Since its launch in 2022, it has gained attention for its creativity and profound cultural significance. With its multifunctional all-wooden design, Kenka also serves as an excellent example of a sustainable approach to toy production. The game frame is cleverly designed to double as a transport box, shelf, or other types of furniture.

"Kenka Puppetgame is a prime example of Czech talent and creativity, which are key pillars of our presentation in Osaka. I have personally tried the game, and I am confident that pavilion visitors will be captivated by its playfulness and the message it conveys. Resolving ‘conflicts’ through miniature representations of the real world, such as figurines, has been part of human history for centuries. Ultimately, this is what EXPO is about – bringing nations closer together in times of crisis, fostering a stronger shared future," says Ondřej Soška, Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025.

The rules of Kenka are straightforward and impose no age or language barriers. In the game, two puppets equipped with weapons such as sticks, katanas, or naginatas face off. The goal of the duel is to remove the opponent's puppet mask and discover their smile, using gravity, kinetics, and a centuries-old principle of controlling puppets from below. The figures are made from exactly 11 wooden beads, which allow them to assume realistic combat positions. The game's design also encourages creativity and imagination, as players can create their own weapons, masks, and accessories for their figures.

"Participation at EXPO 2025 is the culmination of one phase of our journey," says Petr Valla, the creator and owner of Kenka Puppetgame. "The game historically belongs to Asia, and its design is inspired by Japanese culture. It is an honour and a challenge for us to present it in the Czech pavilion in Japan and see if the Japanese people like it. We want to show that playing and creating can help break down barriers. Based on our experience so far, I know that Kenka can quickly break the ice between people. We hope to experience a similar positive reception in Japan."

Kenka Puppetgame has already received several awards, including the Created in Zlín award and second place during the national round of the Creative Business Cup 2024, where it also won the audience choice award. The competition is organized annually by the state agency CzechInvest. At EXPO 2025, the project will showcase not only its game elements but also the philosophy behind its creation.

About Czech pavilion at EXPO 2025 In December 2022, after more than twenty years, the Office of the Czech Commissioner General announced an open anonymous architectural competition for the design of the national pavilion for EXPO 2025. A total of 38 teams entered the competition, from which an expert jury headed by world-renowned architect Eva Jiřičná selected the winning design in the shape of a glass spiral by Apropos Architects in March 2023. The load-bearing structure of the building will consist of modern wooden panels, while the façade will be made of art glass, which has a centuries-old tradition in Czechia. The National Pavilion will offer a worthy backdrop for the Czech participation at EXPO 2025, which will be held from April to October 2025 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. The pavilion will house a permanent exhibition, a multifunctional auditorium, facilities for business meetings, a restaurant, a VIP lounge and a relaxation area in front of the pavilion with a view of the sea.

About Czech participation at EXPO 2025  Czechia as an independent state will participate in the World EXPO for the sixth time. Ondřej Soška, who won the tender of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czechia last spring with his concept and theme "Talent and Creativity for Life", has been the Commissioner General since September 2022. Czechia should present itself in Osaka not only with what the Japanese know very well and have long admired, such as Czech glass and classical music, but especially with Czech innovations, nanotechnologies, promising start-ups and regional talents.