Wild animals in the Kosta safari park.
A visit to the kingdom of crystal The furnaces at Kosta glassworks have been running since 1742, making it Sweden’s oldest glassworks still in use. A visit to the village of Kosta comes with an invitation to explore the production and the magical world that lies behind the success of Orrefors Kosta Boda.
dition of creative design and innovative craftsmanship in focus, something that is typical for all glass produced in Kosta.
By Kristine Olofsson | Photos: Orrefors Kosta Boda
Kosta as a destination has a lot to offer its visitors, and guests will immediately be welcomed into the hot shop to witness the fascinating spectacle of glass making from start to finish. One can watch the hot, molten glass syrup slowly transform into sparkling crystal glassware, vases, bowls and art glass items, which later can be found and purchased in the on-site factory shop. Those who feel inspired are welcome to give glassblowing a go themselves and create their own glass item.
The fine art of glassblowing has long been practised in the woods of the Swedish province of Småland. The glassworks in Kosta was founded by two generals serving in King Karl XII’s army: Anders Koskull and George Bogislaus Stael von Holstein. By merging the first letters of their surnames, they formed the name that has now become equivalent to Swedish handicraft and highquality glass, well renowned not only in Scandinavia, but also across the globe. In Kosta, some of the best glassblowers in the world are working side by side with 72 | Issue 126 | July 2019
leading designers in order to create the iconic Orrefors and Kosta Boda glass. “The two brands have very different expressions,” explains Isabella Jansson, marketing coordinator at Orrefors Kosta Boda. “Kosta Boda is bold, colourful and demands space, while Orrefors stands for classic timelessness and elegance.” Orrefors’ success was cemented during the Paris Exhibition in 1925, where the iconic, thin glass The Grail, by Simon Gate and Edward Hald, was awarded the grand prix. This set the direction for Orrefors’ artistic expression with the tra-
Step into the hot shop
The and nity sill’
hot shop has a special atmosphere was long the heart of the commuin Kosta. The popular event ‘hytt(meaning ‘hot-shop herring’) is an