Liberec celebrates glassmaking heritage through art and restoration

The city of Liberec is highlighting its glassmaking heritage through various exhibitions and restorations as part of the upcoming Crystal Valley Week festival.

The Botanical Garden in Liberec is currently hosting an exhibition titled ‘Glass in Nature, Nature in Glass,’ featuring approximately 100 glass artifacts. The collection includes works by 25 regional glass artists and companies, with pieces inspired by the shapes and colors of flora and fauna. Some artists, such as Bára Tydlitátová, incorporate debris from the Jizera Mountains into their glasswork.

In Vratislavice, a significant 1841 chandelier has been returned to the Holy Trinity Baroque Church following an extensive restoration. The chandelier, which weighs over 122 kilograms and consists of 2,116 components, was restored by craftsmen at Preciosa Lighting in Kamenický Šenov. The restoration process included recreating eight missing hand-blown glass roses to return the piece to its former state. The project cost the municipal district over 300,000 CZK.