After three years, the International Glass Symposium IGS 2024 will once again take place in Nové Bor in autumn. The patronage of the fifteenth year of the unique holiday of glassmakers was granted by the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel. From October 3 to 6, around four dozen artists and designers from five continents will be introduced to the public, who will create in the workshops of local glass companies and schools.
Glass artist Martin Janecký will also present himself at the symposium. | Photo: Diary
Symposium the region’s glass factories, galleries and sample rooms will open to visitors, and people will have the opportunity to try working with glass themselves. Novoborisk will welcome a number of important artists, including painter and sculptor Jaroslav Róna, glass artist Martin Janeckýthe frontman of the band Dad Boys Milan Cais, jazz trumpeter, music composer and painter Lac Deczi, and will also be created by Kateřina Handlová, who designed the crystal medals for this year’s world hockey championship.
The prestigious symposium is the only one of its kind in the world. As the main organizer, the city of Nový Bor provides organizational and financial support for the event. “The International Glass Symposium has long been highlighting the hand-made glassmaking tradition and craftsmanship, which have been inextricably linked to Nový Bor and the Liberec region for generations. We are therefore very pleased that, at a time when UNESCO included hand-made glass production on the list of intangible cultural heritage, this year’s triennial symposium was patronized by the President of the Czech Republic, Mr. Petr Pavel. I believe that his support will help to spread the excellent name of Czech glassmakers both in the Czech Republic and abroad, and at the same time will consolidate and strengthen the importance of the further development of glassmaking. I sincerely hope that Mr. President will find time in his demanding schedule and come to the symposium. We will be happy to welcome him,” said Nové Bor mayor and IGS president Jaromír Dvořák.
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The unique event was also significantly supported by the Liberec region with one million crowns. At the same time, Governor Martin Půta took over the patronage of the symposium. Partnership cooperation also takes place with Křišťálový údolí, the brand of the area in which unique nature has been combined with a passion for glassmaking tradition and craftsmanship for almost half a century. IGS sponsored professional institutions Museum of Arts and Crafts in Prague.
The organizers include, in addition to the city, the Nový Bor Museum of Glass and the glassmaking schools in Nový Bor and Kamenický Šenov, as well as the companies Ajeto Lindava, Ave Clara Polevsko, Pačinek Glass Kunratice u Cvikova, Sklárna Jílek Kamenický Šenov and TGK Skalice u Česká Lípa and the Nový Bor company AZ Design, Crystalex CZ, Kolektiv Ateliers, Lasvit and Novotný Glass are preparing such a program that will provide experiences for all visitors regardless of their age, profession or social status, bring the public not only the beauty of glass craftsmanship and art, but also show that Nový Bor is a pleasant and interesting city.
A Christmas tree from Prague will serve as outdoor furniture. The bench will be in Mimoni
Even though the symposium is mainly focused on glassmaking, it will also offer an accompanying program on the Náměstí Míru in Novi Bor. For example, Portless with singer Kryštof Michal, Václav Noid Bárta, Miroslav Kemel with the band will perform. The conclusion of the program will be a light drone show.
The tradition of glass symposiums in Nové Bor was founded in 1982 by the Crystalex company. It was then that for the first time she invited artists and designers to her premises to realize their designs and ideas with the help of local glassmakers. Over 500 artists took turns in Nové Bor in three-year intervals over the more than 40 years. Since 2009, the city has taken over the organization of the symposium, other glassworks in the region, glassmaking schools and the museum have also been involved.
