The design of the Czech Guest of Honour Pavilion, which will occupy one of the main exhibition halls measuring 67 by 36 metres – an area of 2,433 m² – is characterised by curved and soft inflatable objects. These embody the human imagination – colourful and playful. Just as a book carries readers away to distant worlds on the waves of imagination, so too does the Czech Pavilion transport visitors into the world of dreams and fantasies conveyed by literature. Over the five days of the fair, the Czech Pavilion will feature two programme stages where 75 Czech authors will present their work. There will also be presentations of Czech books in German translations and other languages, live comic drawings created by a robot, a video mapping exhibition of Czech illustrations from the last 30 years, a poetic interactive lighthouse featuring literary texts, a café, and a relaxation area for reading. Another key feature of the pavilion is its sustainable and resource-efficient design.
“What we particularly liked about the winning design was its clear and engaging visual concept, which enables it to fulfil the various functions expected of a pavilion. Here, you can relax, lose yourself in a book, play and have fun. For JinJan, the book is an interface for the imagination, a means of transporting us to distant worlds, a place where even our country has its own coastline with a lighthouse. This coastline is the place from which one can set sail onto the vast sea of Czech literature. I believe that the world, the harbour, which opens up to visitors to the pavilion, will be a magnificent experience,” emphasises Jana Zielinski, member of the selection committee and director of Designblok.
“The winning project by the JinJan studio reflects the firm’s experience in delivering projects at the Expo 2015 world exhibition in Milan and Expo 2020 in Dubai. It deliberately focuses on a striking, material composition that is highly distinctive and stands out clearly amidst the diversity of all the exhibitions at the exhibition centre. Following the example of major trade fairs, the firm has opted for an open layout that does not guide visitors, but instead gives them the opportunity to ‘surf’ freely. The scenographic design of the exhibition expresses the imaginative character of Czech literature on the shores of a sea of books,” explains the chairman of the jury, Prof. akad. arch. Vladimír Soukenka.
The design for the Guest of Honour Pavilion of the Czech Republic, as Guest of Honour at the 2026 Frankfurt Book Fair, builds on and develops the theme of the guest appearance, “Czechia: A country on the Coast”. “It was precisely the idea of the Czech Republic as a country by the coast that sparked our imagination from the very beginning and led us to consider how we could translate this utopia into a physical space whilst connecting it to the world of literature,” says Jindřich Ráftl of Studio JinJan by way of introduction; the studio’s projects frequently combine architecture with art and sustainable principles.
The fundamental element of the architecture of the Guest of Honour Pavilion consists of round, soft inflatable objects that represent a metaphorical embodiment of the human imagination – colourful and playful. “They could, for example, represent pebbles in a Czech river, rocks, or anything at all – it all depends on the imagination of the visitors. The objects structure the space of the pavilion, separating the individual areas from one another, whilst also serving as both the form and the main motif of the artwork. The pavilion’s landscape feels like a touch of humanity that brings the atmosphere and style of Czech literature to life,” adds Jan Tůma from Studio JinJan. “In the pavilion, much like when reading a book, you will be transported into an infinite world of fantasy. This experience is enhanced by the inflatable objects used, which float freely through the space and gently frame the views. As you walk through, you shouldn’t be sure where the space ends; you should feel a sense of boundlessness and infinity. We want visitors to find themselves in a different reality. We want a visit to the pavilion to pull them out of their everyday perception and transport them to another world, just as a good book can,” Jan Tůma continues.
In some areas, the installations in the Guest of Honour Pavilion are designed as cosy spots to rest and linger, and not just within therelaxation zone, which is intended, for example,for reading a book. The pavilion will also feature spaces, buoys and a lighthouse that communicate directly with visitors. However, these will not merely be dry informational messages; typical Czech humour, a certain sense of calm and the use of AI will also be present.
“In addition to the formal aspects, the technical considerations of the Guest of Honour Pavilion were also significant for the design, as it is a structure that will only serve its purpose for a few days. The air-filled volumes weigh practically nothing, and their installation and transport are absolutely straightforward,” explains Jindřich Ráftl. “No less important is the lighting atmosphere of the pavilion. We view light not merely as a means of illumination, but as a spatial substance in its own right. A visit to the Guest of Honour Pavilion thus becomes a scenic experience, not merely a presentation of books,” concludes Jan Tůma.
The objects are custom-made from certified materials with proven strength, so there is no risk of them being easily punctured; they meet fire resistance requirements and all strict German safety regulations. A key feature of the designed Guest of Honour Pavilion is its sustainability and environmental friendliness. The air-filled structures weigh practically nothing and are very easy to store and transport. The entire interior consists of elements that can be easily dismantled and reassembled. The pavilion thus minimises transport volume, waste and the associated need for recycling.
The pavilion will be made up of the following sections:
- Two stages with a full-day programme across the five days of the fair – featuring debates, readings and presentations of Czech literature aimed at both the general public and professionals in the book industry
- Presentation of books by participating Czech authors in German translation
- ‘Books on Czechia’: Presentation of Czech books in all the world’s languages
- Live comic drawing with a robot
- Exhibition of Czech illustrations from the last 30 years
- A ‘poetic lighthouse’ as an interactive element, through which Czech literature is transformed by the audience, with the aid of AI, into a playful installation
- A café and a relaxation area for reading
The Guest of Honour Pavilion in figures:
- Hall dimensions: 67 x 36 metres
- Hall area: 2,433 m²
- Two stages with full audio, video and interpreting facilities
- Seating for 235 visitors
- Inflatable structures: 1,849 m² of balloon foil
- Relaxation cushions: 115 m² of balloon foil
The themes in the Guest of Honour Pavilion:
- Coast of Imagination
- Coast of Creativity
- Coast of Humanity
- Paths to the Coast
- Interaction
- Imagination