Experience the Vibrant Crystal Valley Week 2026 in Liberec: A Showcase of Over 100 Artists and Guests from Brazil!
From Bohemia to the Whole World: From Abroad to Liberec
This year’s motto, Connecting Cultures, reflects the stories that Czech glass has woven for centuries across various corners of the globe. The upcoming Crystal Valley Week 2026, proudly held under UNESCO’s esteemed patronage, will highlight the significant role that Czech glass plays in traditions and cultures that extend far beyond our borders.
An intriguing example is the global fascination with Czech glass beads, which have captured hearts worldwide. This inspiration is mirrored in the festival’s visual identity, crafted by Jiří Hořavka from the Liberec-based studio _STROY. “I wanted to showcase the glass beads—cherished by Native Americans, indigenous tribes in Africa, and the Inuit in Greenland—in all their splendor. The male head depicted in various color variations throughout the festival’s visuals doesn’t symbolize any specific nation; rather, it reminds us of the profound significance of even the smallest piece of Czech glass,” explains Jiří Hořavka.
During the festival, representatives of the Brazilian Panará tribe will present the traditional art of jewelry making using glass beads in Liberec. They will be prominently featured from Tuesday, August 25, to Friday, August 28, on Dr. E. Beneš Square, and will participate in a multimedia fashion show that culminates the festival on Saturday, August 29. Their visit will also include a tour of the Preciosa Ornela factory in Desná, where they can learn about the production process of these beautiful glass creations.
The Panar people are among the indigenous nations of the Brazilian Amazon, having faced challenges like deforestation and encroachment from roads and plantations in recent decades, yet they have successfully maintained their language, crafts, and spiritual traditions. For generations, Czech glass beads have adorned their jewelry and ritual garments—this story of cross-cultural connection will come alive in Liberec.
“I am thrilled that this year’s festival will welcome representatives of the Panará people, who have cleverly preserved their identity and connection to nature amidst modern pressures. Their journey to Crystal Valley is a tremendous honor for us. I trust that the connection between these seemingly disparate worlds—indigenous culture and Czech glass tradition—will leave a lasting impression in Liberec,” remarks Jan Šmíd, director of Crystal Valley.
From Tuesday to Friday, visitors can observe tribe members crafting traditional bead jewelry in the central Crystal Square. They can also participate in face painting with authentic motifs using Jenipapo paint from the Amazon. Additionally, the Panar people will enhance the program with morning and evening performances of their ritual dances, songs, and traditional music.
The Crystal Valley Showcase
In Liberec, over a hundred artists, designers, glassworks, and educational institutions will present their works, featuring talents such as Maxim Velčovský, Jiří Pačinek, Pavlína Čambalová, Lukáš Jabůrek, and Anna Polanská. Notable works by Miluše and René Roubíček, Barbora Tydlitátová, and Eva and Karel Urban will also be on display. The festival’s international character will shine through with the participation of Canadian-Czech glass artist Wesley Rasko and renowned Venezuelan florist Juan Carlos Semidey, who seamlessly blend glass into modern design and floral artistry.
Students from the Technical University of Liberec and secondary schools of applied arts will represent the next generation of artists working to preserve the region’s glassmaking heritage. They are collaborating on a mosaic installation, Šelmárium, which will beautify the façade of the carnivore pavilion at the Liberec Zoo.
However, Crystal Valley Week offers more than just striking installations and prominent names; it’s also a treasure trove of unique, handmade pieces that visitors can take home, including costume jewelry and handcrafted glass items.
“Women around the globe love to adorn themselves, and it doesn’t exclusively have to be gold or silver. Crystal Valley features a broad array of designer glass jewelry and imaginative costume pieces—there’s truly something for everyone. It’s heartening to see these beautiful accessories worn by women more frequently. I hope visitors will choose to adorn themselves with these creations during Crystal Valley Week. Personally, I have a whole collection of them. You can find them at various spots, including Lidové sady, Petra Lorenc’s studio, the Crystal Market in the library, and during the BYSTRO DESIGN studio workshop,” shares Květa Vinklátová, Deputy Governor of the Liberec Region for Culture and Tourism.
Festival Ambassadors
Two women with a personal connection to the festival will lend their names to Crystal Valley Week 2026. Leading Czech fashion designer Liběna Rochová returns to Liberec for the third time. “This is an exceptional festival showcasing human skill and craftsmanship while also supporting the Czech glassmaking industry. I admire everyone involved, tirelessly showcasing the incredible richness of the Liberec Region,” says Liběna Rochová.
Those interested can meet her at the MUZA | The North Bohemian Museum in Liberec, where she will lead a guided tour of the exhibition along with Jakub Jelínek, one of the founders of the Children’s Glass Symposium (YGS).
The second ambassador, actress and singer Barbora Pleva Mottlová, also views Crystal Valley Week as a striking portrayal of beauty, craftsmanship, and glasswork, sharing this passion with the public during the festival’s fifth edition.
Liberec as a Living Gallery
Crystal Valley Week illustrates that glass doesn’t merely belong in display cases, but also enriches daily life and urban spaces. Over the course of six days, it will animate a significant part of the city. Established venues for exhibitions include the Liebieg Palace, the Linserka Cultural and Creative Center, the F. X. Šalda Theater, and the Clarion Grandhotel Zlatý Lev. Unique exhibitions and a rich array of programs will also take place in various other locations, from botanical gardens to cafés and bars, and even in the regional office’s exhibition spaces.
This year, for the first time, the renovated Lidové sady complex will be part of Crystal Valley Week, showcasing the Flowers and Glass exhibition, including floristry workshops, and the BohemiAfrica 4.0 exhibition by Emil Kováč, Ondřej Novotný, Marek Effmert, and Marek Bartek. Visitors can also experience the Taste of Glassware installation, featuring stunning glass collections from Crystalex. The fashion installation The Crystal Runway and the multimedia event closing the festival, Connecting Cultures – The Show, will also be highlights.
Moreover, for the first time, venues like BG Klub, Rezidence RoSa, and Café Bar Praha will participate in the festival.
Additionally, Liberec itself serves as a vibrant exhibition space. From Monday, August 24, to Friday, August 28, Dr. E. Beneš Square will transform into Crystal Square, while the streets will be adorned with Crystal Boxes, featuring a variety of exhibits. The Crystal Tram, a historic tram decorated by Jílek Glassworks this year, will traverse the city. In line with the Connecting Cultures theme, the tram—now named the Crystal Valley Express—will offer free rides to the heart of the glassmaking activities in Vratislavice nad Nisou.
At Vratislavice, the Evan Atelier glass studio will host an open house, allowing visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the glass fusing process. Additionally, the studio’s creations will illuminate the historic Church of the Holy Trinity at the exhibition Glass and Light. This will feature a rare church chandelier from 1841, adorned with 24 large hand-blown glass roses, which has been meticulously restored under Preciosa Lighting’s direction and will be revealed during Crystal Valley Week 2026.
This year’s festival will take place across 36 venues, with a clear map included in the printed program—available at information booths, cafés, and accommodations throughout the city—to help visitors navigate. Large-format information panels along Liberec’s streets, along with signage at festival venues, will guide attendees to the various locations.
The Festival as a Collaborative Effort
Crystal Valley Week 2026 is organized in Liberec under the Crystal Valley brand by the Regional Development Agency, working closely with the Liberec Region. All partners—including glassmakers, costume jewelry designers, and jewelers—play a significant role in the festival’s success. The Czech Tourism Board – CzechTourism has also long supported the festival.
“Czech glass has an excellent reputation globally, but to fully appreciate it, one must also get to know the people and places behind it. Crystal Valley Week provides just such an opportunity. It demonstrates that glassmaking is not merely a relic of the past, but a vibrant part of contemporary Czech culture. Combining a visit to the festival with a longer stay in the Liberec Region is highly recommended, as the area offers not only exceptional glassmaking but also stunning nature, unique architecture, and a plethora of places worth exploring. The festival also benefits from the international participation of artists, guests, and visitors, helping spread the good name of Czech glass and its creators far beyond our borders,” emphasizes František Reismüller, Director of the Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism.
The majority of the program is free for attendees, with select events like floristry workshops, PechaKucha Night, and the closing multimedia event Connecting Cultures – The Show charging admission. A new feature this year is the option for voluntary donations to support further development of Crystal Valley Week, accessible via QR codes at event venues.
Where can you find more information?
Complete program details can be found at crystalvalleyweek.cz. You can also see a summary of highlights in the accompanying press materials, which, along with photos and additional resources for Crystal Valley Week, are available at crystalvalleyweek.cz/cs#informace.
About Crystal Valley Week
The Crystal Valley Week festival is organized in Liberec under the Crystal Valley brand by the Regional Development Agency in cooperation with the Liberec Region. Partners—including glassmakers, costume jewelry designers, and jewelers—also play a critical role in the festival.
Crystal Valley is a brand representing the Liberec Region, highlighting it as a globally exceptional center for glassmaking, jewelry, and costume jewelry. The Regional Development Agency (ARR) manages marketing communications, development, and activities associated with the brand, which connects over 100 artists, museums, glassworks, costume jewelry workshops, art studios, and schools spanning the region from Kamenický Šenov to Harrachov, showcasing an exceptionally diverse range of techniques and crafts in glassmaking.
Even though local glass and costume jewelry reach markets worldwide, the singular traditions, contemporary art, and craftsmanship of North Bohemian glassmakers can be fully experienced right here in Crystal Valley. Additionally, the handcrafted production of glass and beaded Christmas ornaments is part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
ARR is a regional organization dedicated to offering comprehensive support for the development of the region, its residents, businesses, and institutions.
Media Contact:
Jan Šmíd, Director of Crystal Valley; tel: +420 722 929 609, e-mail: [email protected]
Lucie Fürstová, PR Manager; tel: +420 605 150 600, email: [email protected]
