“The area of drinking glass is one in which both countries have complemented and influenced each other to the greatest extent. The name therefore reflects the close proximity of the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic in the heart of Europe between 1918 and 1992, whilst at the same time recognising the reciprocity and differences involved, which have remained irrespective of social and political relationships," says Petr Nový in explaining why the authors of the exhibition chose this area as the theme of the exhibition and the name Two in One.

A publication of the same name of more than 300 pages in Czech, Slovak and English, with a wide array of photographs, has also been created to accompany the exhibition. It is, in fact, the very first compilation of Czech and Slovak glass of its kind. “The history and present are not simply an interesting cultural and historical topic – for us they were also an explorational challenge. These are stories that although interwoven with each other, never entirely come together,” adds editor Petr Nový. A special interactive programme has been prepared for visitors to familiarise them in an entertaining way with the concepts that drinking glass calls its own – purpose, shape, colour, décor and emotion.

The official opening of the Two in One exhibition will be held in the Museum of Glass and Jewellery in Jablonec nad Nisou on Thursday 8 November from 5 p.m. and will thereafter remain open to the public until 14 April 2019.That, however, is not quite the end. “Next year the exhibition will move to the Slovak National Museum in Bratislava, where it will open in the exclusive exhibition rooms of Bratislava Castle,” adds Director of the Museum of Glass and Jewellery in Jablonec Milada Valečková.