The sea, a steamer or a skyscraper - this is also what the new permanent exhibition of Christmas decorations at the Jablonec Museum of Glass and Costume Jewellery offers. More than three thousand of them fit into the attractive installation by designer Jakub Berdych Karpelis. The "World of Wonders" will open to visitors on Sunday 26 June.

In addition to the existing exhibitions of glass and jewellery, the Jablonec Museum will offer another selection from its rich collection, which is unique even on a global scale. More than fifteen thousand glass Christmas decorations form the largest public collection in the world. Most of them are a gift from the Jablonex company, which in 2008 donated its entire sample room of blown, richly decorated unique pieces to the museum. The collection is continuously being actively replenished and also includes contemporary production or historical ornaments from the early 20th century, especially from the First Republic (including a gift from the descendants of the family of the manufacturer Václav Berger from Bílá Třemešné), or from the years of socialism.

The museum commissioned Jakub Berdych Karpelis of QUBUS DESIGN STUDIO in Prague to design the exhibition's set, based on his previous experience with other exhibition projects. "Jakub is known for his imaginative and novel realisations, whether in design, free art or installations. He always manages to add a unique added value to a given theme," added Petr Nový, the museum's chief curator.

"During the tour, the visitor can just let himself be carried away by the variety of shapes and decors, or follow the symbolic story of the journey of Czech ornaments to their most important overseas market in the USA. That is why they are installed in the form of colourful sea waves, an ocean liner or skyscrapers," said Dagmar Havlíčková, curator of the collection and co-author of the scenario.

The intention of the museum management was not to prepare an ordinary museum permanent exhibition, but above all to offer a unique emotional experience. We believe that the World of Wonders exposition will be a great attraction and the visitors' impression will be simply WoW!", said the museum director Milada Valečková. They can find only basic data directly in the exhibition, and then they can look up details in the museum's audio guide, which is offered in 5 languages, or in a publication on the museum's extensive collection.

The opening of the exhibition is the end of a long-term goal of the Jablonec Museum. Already in 2013, the first conceptual plan for a museum extension with this permanent exhibition was created. The so-called "crystal" building itself, which was awarded the title "Building of the Year 2020", opened on 20 June 2020, without much glory due to the restrictions in force. The World of Wonders, full of Czech glass Christmas decorations, will therefore open to the public almost exactly two years later, on Sunday 26 June. "This marks the completion of an almost decade-long dream of the entire management of our museum. I would like to sincerely thank all those who helped us on this long journey to success, especially the enthusiastic team of museum employees," added Valečková.

The Museum of Glass and Costume Jewellery in Jablonec nad Nisou - the only one in the world!