The aquarium exhibition in Rychnov nad Kněžnou is approaching and this year promises big changes. While some hesitate to visit because they fear the exhibition will be like in previous years, the AKVA-TERA association in Rychnov n. Kněžnou is preparing a surprise for them in the form of redesigned spaces. Remember with us last year's edition and find out why you definitely shouldn't miss this year's.
Introduction: Invitation to the exhibition
The aquarium exhibition in Rychnov nad Kněžnou is inexorably approaching, and in recent weeks, the question has arisen at every meeting with aquarists:
Will you come to see it this year?
The vast majority answers positively without hesitation. Some have even booked a hotel to sit with friends and colleagues and enjoy the unique atmosphere that accompanies this event.
However, there are also those who hesitate. They have attended the exhibition several years in a row and fear that it will be more or less the same. They have a long way to Rychnov, so they are reluctant.
As if the association AKVA-TERA Rychnov n. Kněžnou sensed this. This year, visitors will find transformed spaces, and the exhibition will be presented a bit differently. Information is under embargo, so it is not possible to learn anything specific, let alone publish it.
The atmosphere that warms: A reminder of last year's edition
In the meantime, let's recall what the exhibition was like in 2024. You can either read the already published article, or continue here.
The weather last year was all over the place, and due to floods, many visitors from the Czech Republic and even Poland did not arrive. The rainy weather also meant a cold and gloomy atmosphere. This was successfully dispelled at the exhibition not only by the outdoor tent of the chairman, Vlasta Hruška, and his wife with refreshments. The tent was equipped with heating, serving excellent food and drinks, but above all, the indoor spaces of the exhibition warmed up. Here, in a cozy, well-furnished tropical water aquarium, beautiful fish from Czech, often already summer-experienced, masters of aquaristics swam peacefully.
The cheerful atmosphere was also contributed to by the members of the association, who smiled and willingly engaged in discussions with visitors and acquaintances. Right at the entrance, for example, I was caught by Roman, who proudly showed off a transparent aquarium that he arranged himself and stocked with perfectly colored Discus fish.
It was the first edition that the esteemed Mr. Aquarist with a big "A", Mr. Ešpandr, could not attend. To show how much they miss and appreciate him, the association created a corner in his honor. It was one of the most cheerfully designed aquariums in the style of the eighties. The fish swam happily through the greenery, and the species were countless. I managed to take a photo of the Rychnov team by this corner. I actually quite like this photograph. When I look at it, I would immediately sit down with them and debate together.
On the ground floor, there was a section dedicated to shrimp and their breeders. Those who were shy to come here and ask about breeding could attend one of the lectures, which were later very well rated.
If visitors wanted to bring home some "catch," they could happily shop not only for shrimp, fish, and equipment but also for the famous plants from the Hořánk's nursery.
Extension of the exhibition and invitation for visitors
Because the association wants to allow everyone interested to admire how "high" aquaristics is done, this year's exhibition has been extended and will last a full eight days. So, even though the Rychnov exhibition overlaps, for example, with the exhibition of Killifish in Prague, I recommend that visitors to the Botanical Garden in Prague later make a trip here as well. Because if there is any aquaristic event that will be talked about for a long time, it is this one.
Video from last year:
