From Harrachov to the hands of Czech National Pavilion visitors. The oldest operating glass factory in Czechia will supply cocktail glasses for EXPO 2025
Around 1,500 different types of glasses from the Novosad & Son Glass Factory and Microbrewery are heading to Osaka. Over its 300-year history, the Harrachov Glass Factory has built a reputation as one of the finest glass manufacturers, thanks to its traditional handcrafting methods. For EXPO 2025, it is also producing a unique set of six glasses for six signature cocktails, designed in collaboration with the company’s longtime designer Ivana Müllerová and world-renowned Slovak bartender Erik Lorincz, based in London.
The upcoming cocktail glass set combines functionality with aesthetics. It was designed by the company’s longtime designer Ivana Müllerová and Erik Lorincz, a globally acclaimed bartender known from international competitions and the mastermind behind several premium cocktail bars. Lorincz tailored the glass shapes to complement the drinks served at the Czech National Pavilion, while Harrachov glassmakers adorned the stems with delicate air spirals.
Harrachov Glass Factory has extensive experience presenting its products at world exhibitions, participating since the very first one in London in 1851. Despite advancements in automation, it remains committed to traditional handcrafting. Visitors will find pieces from the Visual collection in the pavilion’s restaurant, while the exclusive cocktail edition will be available in the rooftop CTP lounge for Czechia’s partners and special public events. The final collection will also be featured in the gift shop alongside other product lines.
"Harrachov glassware has always found its place in the Japanese market—historically with richly cut decorative pieces, and today with sleek, colorful drinkware," says Petr Novosad, owner of the Novosad & Son Glass Factory and Microbrewery in Harrachov. He adds, "At the EXPO in Osaka, we aim to showcase Harrachov as a leading producer of handcrafted glass while also presenting it as a unique tourist destination where visitors can experience both the history and present of Czech glassmaking."
"Czech glass has had a strong reputation in Japan and its admirers since the 1970 World Expo. I am pleased that we can continue this tradition at the Czech National Pavilion by showcasing another renowned Czech glassmaking company. I am confident that the cocktail glass collection, designed specifically for our pavilion, will be a success and further strengthen Czechia’s image as a glassmaking powerhouse," says Ondřej Soška, Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025.
About Novosad & Son Glass Factory and Microbrewery The Harrachov Glass Factory was founded before 1712 on the estate of the Harrach noble family, making it the oldest operating glass factory in Czechia. Its products have adorned royal interiors worldwide and have earned international recognition since the mid-19th century. Since 1993, the factory has been privately owned by the Novosad family. Today, it specializes in luxury drinkware and chandeliers while remaining one of the few manufacturers still dedicated primarily to traditional handcrafting.
The glassworks attracts 60,000 visitors annually from around the world. Its unique features include a historic glass-cutting workshop from 1895 powered by a water turbine and a collection of 5,000 pieces of Harrachov glass. In addition to the glassworks, the complex includes a brewery with a restaurant, a hotel with beer spas, and, since 2021, two cultural heritage sites—the Chapel of St. Elizabeth and the remains of a quartz-crushing mill.
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.
