Pilsen Region Days at EXPO 2025 in Japan

The current theme and overall concept of this year’s EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN aim to inspire visitors to reflect on how they want to live and maximise their potential. The exhibition’s subthemes will focus on saving lives, strengthening them, and connecting people. The chosen central theme and subthemes offer Czechia a unique opportunity to enhance its good reputation in Japan and the wider region, showcasing the talent and creativity of its people to local visitors.

“The Pilsen Region must be part of this,” says Governor Kamal Farhan, adding, “We want to show the world not only the strength and potential of the Pilsen Region but also bring back new impulses, inspiration, and experiences to the region. I am proud of what our region has to offer — from cultural richness through the Pilsen Philharmonic, innovations and traditions of our companies, to the talent and ideas of our students. I believe that thanks to EXPO 2025, we will expand our business connections and bring new energy for further development of the Pilsen Region.”

Pilsen Region at EXPO 2025 The Pilsen Region is actively involved in EXPO 2025 as one of the few regions presenting its own program in the Czech Pavilion. From September 2 to 7, 2025, Pilsen Region Days will take place at EXPO 2025 in Osaka. The interactive program will feature, among others, the Pilsen Philharmonic, whose trip and performance in Japan are supported by the Pilsen Region.

“The Pilsen Region’s presentation at the world exhibition is a great opportunity to expand our cultural diplomacy and strengthen the Pilsen Region brand abroad. I believe that besides cultural experiences, we will establish new contacts that will enrich our cultural institutions and tourism. EXPO is a place of inspiration, and we want to be an active part of it,” says Libor Picka, Councilor for Culture, Monument Care, and Tourism, about the region’s involvement.

Under the motto Experience the Pilsen Region for Yourself, EXPO visitors will be able to taste Pilsen beer, regional gourmet specialties, and discover both well-known and lesser-known tourist spots throughout the region.

High School Students from the Pilsen Region to Attend EXPO 2025 through the Educational Program DRESS UP & STAY HOME

The Pilsen Region is launching a unique educational program called DRESS UP & STAY HOME, aimed at systematically supporting regional development through the personal global experiences of students from regional high schools. The program will enable selected students to participate in international events such as the EXPO world exhibition or the WorldSkills championships, bringing new ideas and inspiration back to the Pilsen Region. EXPO 2025 offers such an opportunity for 69 chosen students from regional high schools.

Program Vision The Pilsen Region aims to long-term develop an environment where people with international outlooks and the ability to leverage global trends for local development can thrive. Individuals with foreign experience often lack partners and systemic support to implement innovations. The DRESS UP & STAY HOME program seeks to create a generational change by annually building a broad group of students with international experience motivated to actively contribute to their region.

The program is based on the framework Global Thinking – Local Acting – Regional Wellbeing:

Global Thinking: Enable 2% of active high school students in the Pilsen Region each year to personally participate in international events such as the WORLD EXPO, WORLDSKILLS SUMMIT, and others.

Local Acting: Support the transfer of global trends — in technology, culture, environment, and education — into everyday life in the region.

Regional Wellbeing: Contribute to strengthening the competitiveness and quality of life in the Pilsen Region through the implementation of these trends.

Involvement of Schools and Students in the Program Currently, 35 high schools from across the Pilsen Region are involved in the program. From these schools, 69 students aged 17 to 18 who meet the requirement of English proficiency at a minimum B2 level have been selected. These students will have the opportunity to represent the region at selected international events and will actively participate in transferring new experiences back to the region.

During a 14-day study stay in Japan, the students will take part in a four-day excursion at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, visit the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Tokyo, tour Japanese headquarters of companies operating in the region, visit Japanese schools, and experience travel on the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka.

“Our goal is to nurture a generation of young people capable of seeing the world in a broader context, thinking globally, and acting locally for the benefit of our region. Participation in major global events like EXPO 2025 will allow them to gain inspiration, experience, and new contacts. These insights will then be brought back to the Pilsen Region, contributing to the development of innovation, strengthening community life, and improving the quality of life for all of us. We believe that through this approach, we can build a prosperous and competitive region that can withstand global competition while preserving its unique values,” says Deputy Governor for Education and Sports Vladimír Kroc about the program, adding that the Pilsen Region has invested 8 million CZK in the project.

EXPO 2025 and Czechia's Participation Czechia will participate in a World EXPO as an independent country for the sixth time. Since September 2022, the role of Commissioner General has been held by Ondřej Soška, who won the selection process organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with his concept and theme “Talent and Creativity for Life.”

In Osaka, Czechia will showcase not only what the Japanese already know and admire—such as Czech glass and classical music—but also Czech innovations, nanotechnologies, and regional talents. The most visible exhibit is the Czech National Pavilion itself.

Over the course of the World EXPO, which runs from April to October, around 100 companies and approximately 200 artists will be featured—including the Pilsen Philharmonic as a major musical ensemble.

“I’m very pleased that the Pilsen Region has joined EXPO 2025 in such a responsible and comprehensive way. From my perspective, it’s an exceptionally well-rounded program that covers all the key areas Czechia is highlighting this year in Japan—business, culture, innovation, and education. It clearly reflects years of preparation. I believe the Pilsen Region will capture the attention of Japanese visitors—who make up the overwhelming majority at the EXPO—and inspire them to visit Czechia in person,” says Ondřej Soška, Commissioner General for Czechia’s participation at EXPO 2025.

About the Czech National Pavilion at EXPO 2025
Czechia will be participating in a World Expo as an independent country for the sixth time. Since September 2022, the role of Commissioner General has been held by Ondřej Soška. The pavilion’s design – a glass spiral – was selected through an open architectural competition, which was won in March 2023 by Apropos Architects. The main structure is made of modern CLT wooden panels, while the façade features artistic glass, drawing on a centuries-old Czech tradition. The national pavilion provides a dignified setting for Czechia’s presence at EXPO 2025, which will take place from April to October 2025 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. Inside, the pavilion features a permanent exhibition, the multifunctional Daisue Hall auditorium, business meeting facilities, a restaurant, the CTP Lounge, and a seaside relaxation zone open to visitors in front of the building. Cultural performances take place almost every weekend from Friday to Sunday. The pavilion was officially approved for use in early April 2025 and stands as the largest wooden structure of its kind in Japan without a metal supporting frame. It officially opened to the public on April 13, 2025.