World exhibitions boast a rich history, and our national representation has its own tradition. Why is the Czechia participating in EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan, and what impact could this have on Czech businesses and culture? On this topic, we talked to Commissioner General Ondřej Soska, whose concept of presentation is called “Talent and Creativity for Life”.
Commissioner-General, the opening date of EXPO 2025 is approaching. What is the state of preparations for the event?
Preparations for Czech participation are well underway. In May, we commenced the construction of our national pavilion in Japan. Over the summer, we gradually shipped the entire supporting structure, made of wooden CLT panels, from the Czechia. By September, the first wooden components had arrived in Japan, and assembly began. Both Japanese and Czech teams are now collaborating on the construction. The National Pavilion is being built predominantly with Czech materials, including primarily Czech wood and Czech art glass.
Our pavilion has garnered significant attention internationally even before the start of the world exhibition. It is a visually attractive, innovative, and technically advanced project. In fact, it will be the first timber building of its kind in Japan without a steel structure that meets the country’s stringent safety standards. The journey to obtaining the building permit was challenging; we had to provide the Japanese authorities with strength tests and other detailed information to confirm the declared strength of the timber panels and key connecting elements. However, we successfully overcame all the hurdles and convinced the local authorities that the building is robust enough to withstand potential earthquakes or strong typhoons.
In Japan, we aim to provide visitors not only with state-of-the-art architecture and an innovative design but also with a captivating cultural programme. Therefore, in early July, we initiated an open cultural call for Czech artists interested in showcasing their art at EXPO 2025. This call lasted for approximately two months and drew interest from both individual artists and professional art groups, particularly in the areas of performance art, music, and related genres, many of whom have proven successful experience abroad. I must say, we are absolutely delighted as we received 187 project submissions, far exceeding our expectations. We are now (as of mid-September) entering the phase where an expert jury will review all the applications, a task that promises to be quite challenging. We plan to announce the results in October 2024.
Our goal is to bridge traditional and contemporary Czech art and culture. Therefore, our presentation will feature references to renowned figures such as Antonín Dvořák and Alfons Mucha. Notably, the Czech National Day will be celebrated on 24 July 2025, marking the 165th birthday of Alfons Mucha. We will also honour the talented glassmaker René Roubíček, who exhibited at the 1970 Osaka EXPO. Additionally, the mascot for the Czech participation, René, originates from his workshop.
In early September, we welcomed a delegation of Japanese journalists and took them to locations associated with these prominent figures. We also introduced them to our plans for the EXPO presentation. Their positive reactions confirmed that we are on the right track and that the Czech pavilion will generate significant interest in Japan.
However, we must not forget about Czech companies and the business programme, which are integral components of my concept and strategy for the upcoming EXPO.
What plans do you have for companies, and why is their involvement vital for the Czech representation?
The World Expo acts as a robust business platform that facilitates the display of innovations, technological advancements, and traditional products. It grants our companies a rare opportunity to showcase themselves to an international audience, build new relationships, and strengthen crucial partnerships. This opportunity will not arise again for another 30 or 40 years. Where else can you connect with potential partners from around the world and discuss the latest trends, technologies, and innovations? And all this while taking advantage of the amenities of the Czech National Pavilion and additional services like interpretation and marketing support?
Participating in EXPO 2025 will offer Czech partners a prime opportunity to expand their reach not only into Japan but also into the broader, highly competitive Indo-Pacific region. In Asia, the perception of the state holds more significance than it does in Europe, and when a company collaborates with the state and takes part in the national pavilion, it gains greater credibility and relevance with local partners. EXPO is a prestigious event and serves as an excellent reference, even for companies without direct export ambitions in Asia. Additionally, it can help boost the volume of orders and attract new partners and clients.
I frequently receive inquiries about the location of exhibition stands in our pavilion. However, our approach does not centre around booths; instead, we focus on business events, opportunities for meetings, networking, and collaboration. We are in discussions with various countries, including those in Europe and Japan, about joining our programme. The World Expo will span 26 weeks, during which we plan to offer a diverse business agenda covering topics such as nanotechnology, engineering innovations, fintech, space technology, cybersecurity, and the circular economy. We aim to provide opportunities for both small and large companies and institutions from a wide range of sectors to participate, without restricting them to exhibition space. Their products and stories will contribute to shaping the image of the Czechia and how we present ourselves and attract attention in Japan.
Want to know more? Contact us at partnership@expo2025czechia.com.
This year features Czech regional presentations. What is the level of interest in these presentations, and what objectives do they serve?
I believe the business aspect is essential in the current understanding of world exhibitions. Additionally, Japan ranks as the fourth-largest economy and is a dominant force in global trade. It is a stable, secure country both economically and politically, with an effective legal system and established business practices. Success in this market requires thorough preparation, and that is where we aim to support companies, at least partially. Our conferences are tailored to equip Czech companies with the necessary knowledge and prepare them for the business environment in the Indo-Pacific region. We also aim to connect those with experience in these markets, those striving to enter, and those still contemplating it. We collaborate with both the private and public sectors to provide the most comprehensive overview possible.
The first conference was held on September 11 in Liberec and received very positive feedback. This type of regional conference roadshow for a world exhibition is unprecedented. Unfortunately, we had to postpone the Brno and Ostrava conferences due to flooding. We want attendees to enjoy the event without worrying about their loved ones. We are currently planning alternative dates, primarily focusing on November. Please check www.road2expo.cz for the updated schedule. We also aim to host our final conference in Prague in the spring of 2025.
Thank you for the interview.
About the Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2025
In December 2022, for the first time in over twenty years, the Office of the Commissioner General launched an open, anonymous architectural competition to design the National Pavilion for EXPO 2025. A total of 38 teams participated, and in March 2023, an expert jury led by the world-renowned architect Eva Jiřičná selected the winning design – a glass spiral created by Apropos Architects. The building’s load-
-bearing structure will be made of modern wooden panels, while the façade will feature art glass, a material with a long-standing tradition in the Czechia The National Pavilion will provide an impressive setting for Czech participation in EXPO 2025, which will take place from April to October 2025 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. The pavilion will include a permanent exhibition, a multifunctional auditorium, facilities for business meetings, a restaurant, a VIP lounge, and a relaxation area in front of the pavilion with a sea view.
About Czech participation at EXPO 2025
The Czechia, as an independent country, will participate in the World EXPO for the sixth time. Ondřej Soška, who won the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ tender with his concept and theme “Talent and Creativity for Life”, has been serving as the General Commissioner since September 2022. In Osaka, the Czechia aims to showcase not only well-known and admired aspects like Czech glass and classical music but also to highlight Czech innovations, nanotechnologies, promising start-ups, and regional talents.
