EXHIBITIONS
EXHIBITIONS
THE CAFÉS OF OSTRAVA
2. 10. 2025–31. 12. 2026
A café is a meeting-place and a haven for contemplation, an oasis of calm or a bustling hive of activity. It is a place where people create culture and engage in dialogue – a place that holds up a mirror to society. It might surprise you to learn that Ostrava – a city built on coal, iron and industrial toil – proved such a fertile ground for café culture. The stark contrast between the hard-working city and the refined world of its cafés makes this phenomenon particularly remarkable. Ostrava’s cafés – the last thing we would expect in such an industrial environment – became “islands” within the city, places where people found inspiration, relaxation, and a vibrant community.
Our exhibition “The cafés of Ostrava” invites you to travel back in time and experience three periods of café culture in the city – each of them bearing aromatic witness to a particular era.
Through the stories of four iconic Ostrava cafés – the Praha, Elektra, Fénix and Palace – we trace the evolution of the city’s café scene from the boom years of the early 20th century, through the decline and transformation of Ostrava’s cafés in the second half of the century, to their new incarnations in the present day. Established in the golden age of Ostrava’s café culture, these are the only cafés in the city that have survived throughout all the turbulence of modern history and have become living witnesses to the evolution of public spaces in times of both freedom and totalitarianism.
A café is a litmus test of democracy – the freer a society, the more vibrant and diverse are its cafés. And what about coffee itself? Once a luxury item available only to a select few, it has now become a much-loved daily ritual for many. This exhibition will not only guide you through the world of cafés; it will also reveal the fascinating world of coffee itself – as a plant, a drink, and a social and cultural phenomenon that reaches into a plethora of domains including health, language, and much more.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ME
2. 10. 2026–5. 9. 2027
Exhibition opening 1. 10. 2026, 5 p.m.
Babywearing is a topic that is as modern as it is ancient. Throughout human history, every parent has had to consider how to safely and effectively carry their children, who in the early stages of life cannot manage without adult assistance. The exhibition “Keep Calm and Carry Me” presents babywearing as a universal human activity that not only helps create a close bond between parent and child, but also brings technical challenges and inspires innovations. The exhibition is intended for anyone who wants to broaden their horizons – but above all it offers an interactive space for the whole family. Visitors can enjoy an experience zone with sensory stimuli, as well as a creative corner for crafting and recording their own memories. Under the auspices of Ministry of Culture; Lucie Baránková Vilamová, Deputy Mayor of Ostrava.
We would like to point out that the ‘Keep Calm and Carry me’ exhibition is located in the spaces, which is not barrier-free
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JAPAN IN OSTRAVA
18. 9. 2026–31. 12. 2026
Exhibition opening 17. 9. 2026, 5 p.m.
This exhibition, marking the 10th anniversary of the Czech-Japanese Cultural Centre, showcases the long-standing and vibrant dialogue between the Czech Republic and Japan, fostered through festivals, education, the arts and everyday life in Ostrava. It is not merely a presentation of an exotic culture, but the story of people who are building a bridge between distant worlds. In Ostrava, you can not only discover Japan, but also experience it and become part of it.
We would like to point out that the ‘Japan in Ostrava’ exhibition is located in the attic, which is not barrier-free.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
INFORMATIONS FOR VISITORS
At most of the exhibitions in Ostrava's museum, you will find QR codes with translations of texts in English and Polish. We apologize, but the exhibition's accompanying program is not available in English or Polish. Guided tours and other activities in Ostrava's museum are conducted in Czech only.
Actions: Printable version