Dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the first French edition of The Little Prince (1946–2026)

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the first French publication of The Little Prince, the main exhibition of the international Doll Prague 2026 exhibition will be inspired by one of the most famous messages in world literature: “What is essential is invisible to the eyes.” The exhibition theme is based on the timeless work of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and invites visitors to reflect on values that cannot be measured or weighed – friendship, love, responsibility, imagination, and the human soul.

The author of the main exhibition will be the Czech puppeteer and doll artist Eva Hellerová Hodinková, whose work has long been associated with the “bringing to life” of wood, stories, and human imagination. For Doll Prague, she is preparing a unique original project inspired by the world of The Little Prince – a poetic journey across planets, memories, and questions that humanity has been asking since time immemorial.

Visitors will enter a space where puppets and artistic objects become guides on a journey between the visible and invisible worlds. The well-known characters from the book will not appear merely as illustrations of the literary work, but as symbols of human qualities, dreams, and life experiences. Each figure will be an original work of art carrying its own story and emotion. The exhibition will offer a space for pause, contemplation, and a return to the childlike view of the world that adults so often lose.

Just as the Little Prince discovered the meaning of friendship and love through encounters with the Fox, the Rose, and the inhabitants of distant little planets, this exhibition will also seek answers to the question of what is truly important in life. Through wood, movement, light, and imagination, a poetic world will emerge in which art becomes a language understood by both children and adults.

About the Artist

Eva Hellerová Hodinková is one of the most distinctive figures in contemporary Czech puppetry and doll art. She studied scenography and puppetry at DAMU and has received numerous international awards throughout her long artistic career. She is a member of the prestigious American organization NIADA, which brings together leading creators of artistic dolls from around the world.

Under the artistic brand Chodící dřevo, she creates original wooden puppets, marionettes, and fantasy creatures characterized by a distinctive poetic style, craftsmanship, and an ability to evoke emotion. Each of her works is an original piece bearing the unmistakable signature of its creator. In her work, she combines visual art, theatre, storytelling, and movement so that the resulting characters give the impression of truly living beings.

In addition to her own artistic work, she is also involved in educational activities, workshops, and projects that support the creativity of both children and adults. In her puppetry centre in Dobříš, she has demonstrated for many years that wood is not merely a material, but a means of storytelling and a way of seeking humanity.

The main exhibition of Doll Prague 2026 therefore promises an exceptional meeting of two worlds – the immortal message of The Little Prince and the distinctive artistic language of Eva Hellerová Hodinková. The result will be a space where visitors of all generations can pause for a moment and remind themselves that what is most precious is often hidden precisely where the eyes cannot see.

National Institute of American Doll Artists

https://www.niada.org/

Verhelst Marlaine / NL

Eva Hodinková / ČR

Ann Hord-Heatherley (USA) 

"This time Alice waited patiently until it chose to speak again. In a minute or two the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth and yawned once or twice, and shook itself. Then it got down off the mushroom, and crawled away in the grass, merely remarking as it went, “One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter.”

“One side of what? The other side of what?” thought Alice to herself.

“Of the mushroom,” said the Caterpillar, just as if she had asked it aloud; and in another moment it was out of sight.

Alice remained looking thoughtfully at the mushroom for a minute, trying to make out which were the two sides of it; and as it was perfectly round, she found this a very difficult question. However, at last she stretched her arms round it as far as they would go, and broke off a bit of the edge with each hand." - Lewis Caroll

Project “Alice’s Wonderworld”

In 2025, the world is celebrating 160th anniversary of the first publication of Lewis Carroll’s legendary book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. To mark this milestone, Ukrainian Association for Handmade Arts (UAHA) presents a special art project — “Alice’s Wonderworld”, featuring the works of Ukraine’s finest handmade artists, inspired by the enchanting story of Alice.

The project presents art dolls, teddies, toys, and other handmade creations that bring to life the characters of the tale: Alice, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, Time, the Caterpillar, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, as well as many other symbolic figures from the fantastic world of Wonderland.

The artworks are created in a variety of techniques and from diverse materials — textiles, air-dry clay, polymer clay, porcelain, and cotton. Particular emphasis is placed on attention to detail, characters interpretation, and deep emotional immersion into the magical universe.

The project aims not only to honor a literary legacy, but also to promote contemporary Ukrainian dollmaking and handmade creativity as a form of arts. Through this initiative, we aim to show how a classic story can take on new forms and sounds in the hands of talented artists.

Studio 14 (Tallinn, Estonia) presents the international project "Mad Tea Party" 

The project is dedicated to the anniversary edition of Lewis Carroll's book "Alice in Wonderland."

NIADA is an international organization of doll artists, based in the USA.
Is it your dream to become part of this organization then please visit the website: https://www.niada.org/ and don't forget to read the part about what it takes to become a NIADA artist: https://www.niada.org/artistmembership/
During the International Doll Prague exhibition there will be limited possibility to have an Artist Membership Critique in Prague. If you are interested please contact Marlaine Verhelst marlaine(at)home.nl

Workshops - Doll Prague exhibition

Maximum number of students: 12

Workshops - Doll Prague exhibition

Maximum number of students: 10

Workshops - Doll Prague exhibition

Maximum number of students: 12

Workshops - Doll Prague exhibition

Maximum number of students: 10

Workshops - Doll Prague exhibition