Crystal trophies for the winners of the Tour de France, the BRIT Awards, and Czech Olympians, glass sculptures in St. Vitus Cathedral, dozens of installations from Japan to the United States. And behind it all is the Czech brand Lasvit. How did it manage to break through globally? And where does it see the future of its industry?

Forget Silicon Valley. The Liberec region has its own valley. Its roots go back much further than the history of semiconductors and chips. Since the Middle Ages, a craft has been practiced here that has made Czech glass famous far beyond the country's borders. And since 2019, the Liberec Region, the Regional Development Agency, and a network of local glass companies have been working together to promote it under the brand name Křišťálové údolí – Crystal Valley.

"When I talk about Czech craftsmanship, I never forget the people behind it. They have been working here for hundreds of years. They blow glass with love and passion, which you can feel in the glass," says Lasvit founder Leon Jakimič, describing glassmaking in the region.

A native of Liberec, he founded the company in Nový Bor in 2007, at a time when the region was hit by a downturn in large glassworks. "A few years earlier, Crystalex had closed down here. There were two thousand unemployed people here, and the news on TV was saying that glassmaking was coming to an end. And I thought to myself that we needed to do something," he recalls of the crisis at the beginning of the millennium.

Leon Jakimič did not choose Nový Bor by chance. He considers it to be the "beating heart of Czech glassmaking," which has a tremendous genius loci.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Craftsmanship with a global reputation

From the very beginning, Lasvit has been deeply connected to the region. "For me, Crystal Valley is a story that lends tremendous authenticity to everything we do. Its powerful narrative defines the entire industry today," says the company's founder.

Together with Murano in Venice, Nový Bor is one of the few places in the world where top-quality glass and crystal are produced. The families of local craftsmen have often been involved in its production for five or more generations. "My parents worked in glass their whole lives, my grandfather was a cutter. It would be a shame if this died out. Not only for Czechia, but for the whole world," adds Jakimič.

Lasvit's fundamental added value is its ability to combine the artistry of Czech glassmakers with the work of the world's leading architects and designers. The result is installations that now adorn the most prestigious spaces – from hotels in Tokyo to concert halls in New York.

“That’s what we’ve been striving for all along – to combine Czech glass with high-quality design and get it not only into prestigious spaces, but also into the hearts of people who may not be building a house, but want to have a unique piece of jewelry or a trophy made of Czech crystal,” explains Jakimič.

The company's DNA – a blend of tradition and modern design – is also reflected in its headquarters. When Lasvit was deciding where to move its facilities in 2016, instead of building a new hall, it renovated two historic log cabins from 1790, which had previously housed one of the oldest glassworks in the world. And it had a new glass building inserted between them.

The modern building has won two awards from the Liberec Region: first the Karel Hubáček Award for the best building of 2020 and, five years later, the award for the building of the decade. Lasvit's headquarters also attracted attention abroad when it was recognized by Dezeen magazine in the office building category.

Crystal Valley attracts young people

Lasvit works closely with local partners, including the Regional Development Agency. "Our involvement in the Crystal Valley project allows us to promote glass around the world and show its authentic face to foreign visitors. The fact that people of all generations live with glass in the region and that we care for and develop our tradition," concludes Jakimič.

The Regional Development Agency involves Lasvit and other local companies in a wide range of destination marketing activities. It organizes events under the Northern Bohemia brand that promote individual and congress tourism, giving visitors the chance to experience northern Bohemia for themselves. Among the most popular and well-attended events are open days at glassworks and the Crystal Valley Week festival, where Lasvit also has a permanent place. Visitors can watch craftsmen at work and see exhibitions and shows that demonstrate how vibrant contemporary Czech glassmaking really is.

Lasvit sees the future not only in continuing the tradition, but also in inspiring young people. "If we and the agency succeed in continuing to inspire young people to become glassmakers and designers, Czech glassmaking will also thrive. This is no longer the case elsewhere in the world – young people are no longer becoming craftsmen," Jakimič hopes.

The goal is for Czech glass and crystal to have their place in the best galleries and department stores in the world, while remaining a living part of the region.