Czech glass captivates Belgrade. The eighth wonder of the world abroad
The traveling exhibition “Crystal Valley – The Eighth Wonder of the World” is being presented outside the Czech Republic for the first time. From October 16 to December 13, 2026, it will be hosted by the Czech Center in Belgrade, where it will introduce visitors to the unique glassmaking, costume jewelry, and fine jewelry traditions of the Liberec Region. The exhibition’s opening took place as part of the international forum Creative Glass Dialogues 2026, which is part of Glass Week Serbia.
The exhibition presents the Crystal Valley as a globally exceptional center of glassmaking. It traces the evolution from handcrafted glass production—inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2023—to contemporary technological innovations and industrial production.
The exhibition is curated by art historian Petr Nový from the State Museum of Glass and Costume Jewelry in Jablonec nad Nisou. The Belgrade installation focuses on the themes of Craft, Industry, and the Future. Visitors can admire, for example, Jiří Pačinek’s glass strawberries, a vase by Ladislav Ševčík, the crown for Czech Miss 2015 by Šenýr Bijoux, jewelry from the Granát Turnov and Soliter brands, and lighting fixtures by Lasvit and Preciosa Lighting.
The future of glassmaking is represented by the MESMERA exhibit from Preciosa. The glass changes its hue depending on the type of lighting and is made from recycled waste from electric motors in collaboration with the Czech Academy of Sciences.
The exhibition in Serbia opens up new international opportunities for Czech glass and jewelry and demonstrates that tradition, craftsmanship, and technological progress can together appeal to audiences around the world.
More information about the Czech Center in Belgrade HERE