Czechia will present itself at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai with an original pavilion made of wood and Bohemian Crystal. The pavilion, designed by Apropos Architects, has a circular floor plan with a dynamic spiral, a pathway that takes visitors up to the roof. The winning design was selected by an international jury, chaired by Czech-British architect Ms. Eva Jiřičná. On Tuesday, 25 April 2023, Ondřej Soška, the Commissioner General of the Czech participation, presented the winning design to diplomatic, business, and cultural figures at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Tokyo, at the occasion of visit of the Czech Chamber of Deputies delegation to Japan. The awarded architectural studio Apropos Architects is now working on the preparation of the project documentation in cooperation with the Japanese studio Kino Architects.
On April 25th, 2023, the Czech Commissioner General Ondřej Soška presented the design of the national pavilion at the Czech Embassy in Tokyo. The winner of the architectural competition, Apropos Architects, is currently working on the preparation of the project documentation in close cooperation with the Japanese studio Kino Architects so that the legislative and design regulations required for approval by the Japanese authorities are taken into account and guaranteed and the subsequent implementation of the Czech pavilion at EXPO 2025 goes smoothly.
"I am delighted that we had an opportunity to present the vision of the Czech presentation at EXPO 2025 to the Japanese audience for the first time. We are a creative nation in the middle of Europe, we can rely on the rich history and skills of our people. I am convinced that in two years' time in Japan we will present an original and extremely visually successful pavilion made of wood and Czech glass, which has a worldwide reputation, and which charmed the Japanese visitors at the previous EXPO in 1970 in Osaka," says Ondřej Soška, Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025, about the Czech pavilion.
"The Czech-Japanese relations are excellent, and this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between our countries. I believe that the Czech Republic will present itself at EXPO 2025 in Osaka as a technologically advanced country where creativity, science, research and innovation are at a high level. I wish the Czech pavilion to continue the successful tradition of Czechoslovak and Czech participation in the World Expositions in Japan in 1970 in Osaka and in 2005 in Aichi," said the Czech Ambassador to Japan Martin Tomčo.
The winning design was selected by a seven-member expert jury from a total of 38 projects submitted by architectural studios to the open architectural competition. In the Czech context, this is a high number of projects submitted, which proves the positive perception of the EXPO World Exhibition and its prestige. The jury was chaired by the internationally respected Czech-British architect Eva Jiřičná. "Quote...," added Balazs Bognar, a member of the expert committee and partner of Kengo Kuma and Associates, who personally attended the presentation at the Czech Embassy.
The theme of the winning design of the Czech pavilion by Apropos Architects is 'sculpting of vitality'. "The façade is designed in sintered plate glass, and the use of glass was a clear choice for us from the beginning. The artisanal glass processing in the Czech Republic has a great tradition and its use logically fit in with both the theme of the EXPO World Exhibition and our chosen theme of vitality. As a society, we will live to a ripe old age. To strengthen our inner vitality, we also need to be aware of our social and cultural values and constantly remind and reinforce them. That is why a pavilion made of wood and glass, crafted and creatively conceived, filled with Czech art and creativity. In the shape of a dynamic spiral as the most ideal way," explains the concept of the winning design, the partner of Apropos Architects Tomáš Beránek.
On 30 March 2023, Ondřej Soška, Commissioner General of the Czech participation in EXPO 2025, signed a contract with the winner of the architectural competition, Apropos Architects. The contract, the subject of which is the preparation of project documentation for the Czech pavilion at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, was signed in the presence of Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský and Japanese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Hideo Suzuki.
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About Czech participation at EXPO 2025
The Czech Republic 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 the Czech Republic last spring with his concept and theme "Talent and Creativity for Life", has been the General Commissioner since September 2022. The Czech Republic 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.
More information can be found on the website of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
