Czech National Pavilion at EXPO 2025 Osaka reaches finals of prestigious World Expolympics in five categories
The Czech National Pavilion has ranked among the prominent participants in the World Expolympics, an initiative organized by the Experiential Design Authority (TEDA) that recognizes outstanding quality and creativity at the world exhibition EXPO 2025 in Osaka. In strong international competition, the pavilion was selected as a finalist in five categories and will compete for medal positions. The announcement will take place at the USA Pavilion on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, in the evening.
“We are very pleased that the Czech National Pavilion has advanced to the finals in several categories. It proves that our concept and teamwork resonate not only with the expert jury but also with visitors from all over the world. We are proud to present Czechia in such a prestigious international context,” says Ondřej Soška, Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025.
This international recognition reflects the hard work, dedication, and creativity of the entire team, which every day transforms the Czech National Pavilion into a place of inspiration, dialogue, and innovation. Being selected as a finalist in five different categories also shows that the pavilion stands out not only for its architectural and conceptual design but also for the strength of its artistic expression, original visual identity, and the professionalism of the entire implementation team.
The Czech National Pavilion is a finalist in the following categories:
- Best Small Pavilion – award for the best small pavilion on a plot of up to 1,000 m²
- Best Presentation – Ballet of Tomorrow – for an original and visually impressive performance combining art and modern technologies
- Best Mascot – René – for the imaginative mascot that has become a beloved symbol of the pavilion and the entire world exhibition
- Best Pavilion Team – for dedication, professionalism, and the ability to create an inspiring environment for visitors
- People’s Choice – an award based on public voting
The winners will be announced on Tuesday, September 23, at the USA Pavilion at EXPO 2025 on Yumeshima Island in Osaka, Japan.
“We created this competition to highlight the immense talent and imagination that drive our industry on the global stage,” says Travis Stanton, Executive Director of TEDA, adding: “The finalists represent the very best of experiential design today – projects that not only capture attention, but also inspire, connect, and transform the way people perceive spaces and stories.”
The World Expolympics competition was established to showcase excellence in the field of world expositions. The winners are selected by a 32-member international panel of experts from various countries and disciplines – ranging from exhibition design, architecture, and cultural storytelling to creative design and interactivity. The jury evaluates not only the visual and architectural quality of the pavilions, but also their ability to convey a story, engage visitors, and provide them with innovative experiences.
In addition to the jury’s decision, the public also plays a significant role: the finalists in the People’s Choice category were selected through open voting, and the three pavilions with the highest number of votes will receive gold, silver, and bronze medals.
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. A total of 38 design teams submitted their proposals. In March 2023, a professional jury chaired by world-renowned architect Eva Jiřičná selected the winning concept: a glass spiral design by Apropos Architects. The pavilion’s main structure is made of modern wooden panels, while the façade features artistic glass—a material with a centuries-old tradition in Czechia. The Czech National Pavilion offers a dignified and functional space for Czechia’s participation at EXPO 2025, which will take place from April to October 2025 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. Inside the pavilion, visitors will find a permanent exhibition, a multifunctional auditorium, business facilities, a restaurant, and the CTP Lounge. In front of the pavilion, a seaside relaxation zone offers a scenic view for guests. The pavilion was officially approved in early April 2025 and is the largest wooden structure of its kind in Japan built without a metal support frame.