manager and spokesperson of the exhibition:

Katka Petránková e-mail: [email protected]

Prague – The international festival and exhibition Doll Prague 2026 will take place from 6 to 8 November 2026 in Lucerna, Prague. The largest European exhibition of art dolls, author's puppets, figurative art objects and collectible Teddy bears will combine two important anniversaries next year – 80 years since the first French edition of The Little Prince and 10 years since the inscription of Czech and Slovak puppetry on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Doll Prague is one of the most important cultural events in Prague focused on contemporary fine arts, figurative work and author's craft. Every year it brings artists, collectors, gallerists, teachers, students and the general public from many countries of the world to the Czech capital.

The Little Prince as the main theme of the exhibition

The main theme of the festival will be the idea "What is essential is invisible to the eye", inspired by the work of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Artists from the Czech Republic and abroad will work on this theme through original dolls, puppets, art dolls, Teddy bears and other artistic objects. "Doll Prague has long presented original figurative work as a full-fledged part of contemporary fine art. The 2026 edition will connect the international art scene with two significant anniversaries that have a strong cultural overlap - the eightieth anniversary of the publication of The Little Prince and ten years since the inscription of Czech and Slovak puppetry on the UNESCO list," said the festival director Bohdana Klátilová.

Czech puppetry and the UNESCO anniversary

The year 2026 will also mark ten years since the inscription of Czech and Slovak puppetry on the UNESCO list. Czech puppetry is one of the most important cultural traditions of the Czech Republic and continues to inspire contemporary artists, puppeteers and creators of original dolls. An important part of the festival will be the main author's exhibition by Czech puppeteer and artist Eva Hellerová Hodinková, who performs under the stage name Walking Wood. Her work uses found pieces of wood, roots and other natural materials, which she transforms into puppets and figurative objects. "The Little Prince appeals to readers all over the world with its simplicity and depth at the same time. In my exhibition, I try to capture its message about friendship, responsibility and the ability to see things with the heart, not just with the eyes," said Eva Hellerová Hodinková. According to her, Czech puppetry is a unique combination of craft tradition, artistic sensibility and storytelling. "That is why I consider it important to recall its significance in the year when we commemorate ten years since its inscription on the UNESCO list," she added.

More than a hundred artists from around the world

The organizers expect the participation of more than a hundred artists from the Czech Republic and 23 other countries of the world. Artists from Japan, South Korea, the United States, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Bulgaria and Ukraine will be represented. Visitors will see designer dolls, art dolls, puppets, figurative objects, Teddy bears and other works on the border of sculpture, design, theatre and traditional crafts. The program will also include international competitions for professional and amateur artists and a separate competition for children and young artists.

Meeting with artists and purchasing original works

Workshops for adults and children

Doll Prague is not only an exhibition of dolls and puppets, but also a major international festival of creativity. The program will include professional and hobby workshops led by Czech and foreign lecturers. They are intended for beginners and experienced creators. New for the 2026 edition will be a creative workshop for children inspired by the book The Little Prince. Led by Eva Hellerová Hodinková, young visitors will create their own puppet, Rose, one of the most important characters in the famous story. The workshop will offer children the opportunity to learn about the world of puppetry, develop their creativity and take home a puppet they have created themselves.

Materials, inspiration and creative work

The festival will also feature specialized vendors of materials, tools and aids for making dolls, puppets, Teddy bears, textile art, patchwork and other creative techniques. Many of the products offered are not commonly available in Czech stores, which is why Doll Prague is a sought-after place for creators from the Czech Republic and abroad. Doll Prague 2026 will offer not only an exceptional international exhibition of art dolls and puppets, but also inspiration, education, personal meetings with artists and a rich cultural program. From November 6 to 8, 2026, Prague's Lucerna will become a place where contemporary art, the tradition of Czech puppetry and the timeless message of The Little Prince will meet.

As part of this year's exhibition, there will be an exclusive chance to participate in paid workshops led by world-class artists. They will gladly share their secrets and techniques with the attendees, allowing each participant to create a one-of-a-kind artwork with their own hands.

The workshops will be led by:

Marlaine Verhelst - NIADA

art president of NIADA

artist from Netherlands

Dagmar Kašparová

artist from Czech Republic

Tamara Pivnyuk - NIADA

artist from Ukraine

Learn more about the workshops here.

The international exhibition Doll Prague, which takes place at Lucerna Palace from 7 to 9 November 2025, gives one of 120 artists the opportunity to organize the main thematic exhibition. This year, Irina Zhmurenko from Ukraine will present her porcelain exhibition on the theme Labyrinth of Dreams. The theme is dedicated to the 160th anniversary of the first edition of Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll.

The American Association of Doll Artists - NIADA is a permanent participant in the international Doll Prague exhibition. Every year it surprises with its exhibits of the highest level. It is obvious that the members of this association are the best of the best from all over the world. This year's 10th edition of Doll Prague will take place again at the Lucerna Palace, from 7 to 9 November 2025.

Renata Golaszewska Adamczyk(Poland)

Juliet Pelukh and Tamara Pivnyuk (Ukrain)

Ima Naroditskaya (Israel)

Marlaine Verhelst (the Netherlands)

Ann Hord-Heatherley (USA)

Eva Hellerová Hodinková (CZ)

"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.

The unique dolls by Lithuanian artist Anna Zueva reflect the emotions, strength, and fragility of human character. Her dolls were the main attraction at the 2018 exhibition, and in 2022, her doll "Morning" adorned the exhibition poster.

Through practical demonstrations and interactive elements, this interactive exhibition provides a complete immersion into the world of wood carving and reveals its secrets.

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