Dezeen · Creativity & design

Designblok 2026 focuses on light and hope

The annual Designblok festival in Prague, running from October 6-11, 2026, centers its 28th edition on the theme "Light," exploring concepts of knowledge, truth, hope, and life. The event features over 300 designers and brands with exhibitions, installations, and talks across the city.

The Designblok Talks conference, co-curated by Dezeen, will host over 45 international speakers discussing the future of design, architecture, and living. Notable speakers include designers Lee Broom, Claudio Silvestrin, and Marcel Wanders.

Dutch designer Marcel Wanders is the festival's guest of honor and recipient of the Designblok Award for Outstanding Contribution to Global Design. An awards ceremony celebrating his career will be held on October 8.

The festival includes the exhibition "Retro Lamps: Forgotten Stories of Czechoslovak Design" at the Museum of Decorative Arts, showcasing regional lamp designs from the 1950s to 1980s.

British designer Lee Broom presents "Beacon," a light installation made from recycled glass, in front of the Rudolfinum.

An exhibition titled "Design for Václav Havel" commemorates the former Czech president's role in design and features his original presidential office, displayed for the first time in 24 years.

Other highlights include the "High Craft" exhibition at Prague Castle, showcasing contemporary interpretations of traditional crafts, and "Diploma Selection," an exhibition of European graduate design projects presented as a fashion show.

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