Good afternoon, Jana. First, we’d like to thank you for taking the time to speak with us during the preparations for this year’s Designblok. To start, could you tell us what Colours means to you?
For me, Colours is always about the unique festival grounds, where music, talks, debates, food, and thousands of people come together. It’s a truly immersive experience. At the same time, I can’t resist a little morning walk in the Beskydy hills near Čeladná.
You mentioned you won’t be missing this year’s festival either, which we’re very pleased to hear! Are there any concerts or talks from previous years that left a strong impression on you or inspired you in some way?
There have been so many! Sam Smith, Lenny Kravitz, lectures on longevity and technology, Dany Drábová explaining how a nuclear reactor works, and the theatre performance by Marta Adéla Stodolová. It’s always a powerful mix of emotion and intellect.
And what are you looking forward to this year?
From this year’s music programme, I’m excited to hear Korean composer Jung Jaeil performing with the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra — perfect for listening — and Sofi Tukker, who’s great for dancing.
I’ll catch some talks at Meltingpot too; it’s always an inspiring experience. This year, I’m making my debut there and will be actively involved — we’ll be launching a book by Světlana Witowská, who chose inspiring Czech women and wrote a collection of interviews about them. We’re also organising a discussion related to the Czech Grand Design Awards with the 2024 Designer of the Year, Kateřina Handlová, and the Manufacturer of the Year, the brand Master & Master.
I’m planning to see the theatre production Žáby with Ivan Trojan as well. It’s funny how I usually catch shows in Ostrava that I missed in Prague. As always, it promises to be a colourful experience!
That sounds fantastic. Finally, may we ask what exciting things we can expect at this year’s Designblok?
This year’s edition will feature major international design figures, such as Patricia Urquiola, who will personally receive the Designblok Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as Erwan Bouroullec, Sabine Marcelis, and many others. We’ll showcase a photography exhibition by Mary McCartney, highlight emerging European talents in the Designblok Diploma Selection competition, and present top Czech designers and makers working with traditional crafts.
The accompanying programme will also include lectures, discussions on design and architecture, and a special thematic exhibition, Between Unity and Diversity, focusing on the work of women in architecture and design. Among those featured will be Eva Jiřičná, Eva Eisler, Liběna Rochová, Lucie Koldová, Bára Prášilová, and others.
The festival takes place in exceptional venues — Prague Castle, the Museum of Decorative Arts, Rudolfinum Gallery, and Prague Exhibition Grounds. Wallpaper magazine called Designblok “the most playful festival in the world.” This year, the stakes are high — after all, the theme is Courage.
