A small Czech company, Subfossil Oak, is set to create an exceptional prehistoric forest at EXPO 2025 in Osaka

The historically first project of its kind in the world has gained personal support from the chief architect of EXPO 2025, Sou Fujimoto, and will be the only outdoor presentation pavilion. More than a hundred subfossil trunks are already on their way to Japan. The total value of the exhibits exceeds 45 million euros. Each exhibited trunk will symbolically be dedicated to one national pavilion and will bear a label with the name of the respective country. Thanks to the thousands of years of history encoded in the tree rings of these ancient trees, the forest will symbolically unite the world into one organic entity.

"We came up with the idea of creating a prehistoric forest project for EXPO 2025 at the beginning of 2023, and about a year ago, we began discussions with the organizers of the World Expo. In addition to the support of the Czech Minister of Culture, Martin Baxa, the key to our success in Japan was the help of the General Commissioner of the Czech participation, Ondřej Soška, who opened doors to important people in the EXPO leadership and symbolically backed our activities with the authority of the national pavilion. It helped us a lot," says Marek Noga, the owner and CEO of Subfossil Oak.

"The Forest of Civilizations" will be the largest exhibition of its in the world, and according to the organizers' estimates, it could be seen by up to 8 million visitors during the EXPO. For this reason, Subfossil Oak is also aiming for a record in the Guinness World Records.

"The success of Subfossil Oak proves that even a small Czech company with a great project can succeed in Japan. Its placement at the heart of the exhibition is exceptional and unprecedented for non-Japanese private entities, significantly expanding the Czech presence at EXPO 2025 beyond the national pavilion to the area originally intended for another country, which ultimately decided not to build its pavilion. The "Forest of Civilizations" project also reflects Japanese culture, which teaches respect for wisdom and life in all its forms," says Czech Commissioner General Ondřej Soška.

The transport and installation of the exhibits pose a logistical challenge—200 tons of cargo is currently being transported in 10 shipping containers from Hamburg to Kobe, Japan. The ships will sail around Africa, and the journey will take over 30 days. Because the materials are organic, and each trunk is unique, the company created special transport pallets to secure the items and prevent potential damage during transport. The individual trunks weigh between 400 kilograms and two tons and range in height from 1.5 meters to 4 meters.

"Specific natural conditions in Japan, such as the increased risk of hurricanes and earthquakes, also required additional technical measures for our exhibits. They will be specially anchored into the ground to ensure maximum stability," adds Noga. Each trunk underwent a special treatment process to protect it from wood-damaging organisms, UVA and UVB radiation, as well as dust and rain.

However, Subfossil Oak is not participating in the world exhibition for the first time. At EXPO 2020 in Dubai, the company exhibited twelve 6,500-year-old subfossil trunks, which lined the entrance to the Czech National Pavilion. As a result, the company gained international recognition and became a respected participant in a number of prestigious global exhibitions and charitable events. Compared to EXPO 2020 in Dubai, the project for EXPO 2025 will be ten times larger, both in terms of the number of items and the overall significance of the project.

About Subfossil Oak Subfossil Oak is a Czech company specializing in the processing and presentation of unique subfossil oaks. These rare trees, 6,500 years old, are expertly processed using the company’s own patented methods and technologies. The company's first major presentation was the display of twelve subfossil trunks at the entrance to the Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2020 in Dubai. The project prepared for EXPO 2025 in Osaka will be ten times larger and marks a significant milestone for the company.

About the Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2025 In December 2022, after more than twenty years, the Office of the Commissioner General announced an open, anonymous architectural competition to design the National Pavilion for EXPO 2025. Thirty-eight studios have participated, and in March 2023 a jury of experts led by the world-renowned architect Eva Jiřičná selected the winning design: a glass spiral by Apropos Architects. The main structure of the building will be made of modern wood panels, while the façade will feature art glass, which has a centuries-old tradition in Czechia. The National Pavilion, which will be located on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay from April to October 2025, will provide a prestigious setting for Czech participation at EXPO 2025. The pavilion will house a permanent exhibition, a multifunctional auditorium, facilities for business meetings, restaurants, a CTP lounge, and a relaxation area overlooking the sea.

About the Czech participation at EXPO 2025 This will be the sixth time that Czechia has taken part in a world exhibition as an independent state. Ondřej Soška, who won the Ministry of Foreign Affairs selection process with his concept and theme "Talent and Creativity for Life", has been serving as Commissioner General since September 2022. Czechia aims to showcase not only what the Japanese already know and admire, such as Czech glass and classical music, but above all Czech innovations, nanotechnologies, promising start-ups and talent from the regions.