World Expo 2010 in Shanghai

Duration: May 1 to Oct 31, 2010
Location: Shanghai China
Feature: Better City, Better Life
Expected visitors: 70 million
Pavillion: more than 200


First af all, you can see the sign above. It is like a chinese word, 世. If we take this word apart, we can see that the word is actually formed by three people who are hugging each other which is like a peaceful family. Moreover, these three people can be viewed as the whole world, and we all are pursuing a better life. It points out the theme of this expo--focusing on human beings.

We know that the first world exposition was held in London in 1851. In 2010, China is charged to hold the exposition. China claims that this exposion will be the most successful one in the history and the country is going to show its high technology and the international thoughts. Being the first developing country holding the exposition, China is definitely going to present a splendid, wonderful and also successful exposition to the whole world.

Expo 2010 Shanghai is the combination of urban life and modern cities in 21st century. Since there will be 55% people living in major big cities in countries, this exposition is going to present a better urben life and a more prospect society. This time, its focus will be put on the innocation and interaction. Let's read a short paragraph from the official website.

Expo 2010 Shanghai China will centre on innovation and interaction. Innovation is the soul, while cultural interaction is an important mission of the World Expositions. In the new era, Expo 2010 Shanghai China will contribute to human-centred development, scientific and technological innovation, cultural diversity and win-win cooperation for a better future, thus composing a melody with the key notes of highlighting innovation and interaction in the new century.


Theme song:
Right Here Waiting For You 2010
City
Smile City

Mascot: Haibao



This mascot is created from chinese people and it embodies the character of chinese culture.

References:
The official website: http://en.expo2010.cn/

Origin

from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World's_fair

     The definition of World Fair means “various large public exhibitions held in different parts of the world”. It can also be called, which is an abbreviation of Exposition. There are other names people use to call it, such as World’s Fair, Universal Exposition and World Fair. The idea of World’s Fairs originated in the French tradition of national exhibitions. Other European countries were influenced by France and later London held the first real international exhibition on May 1 of 1851. It was the idea of Queen Vitoria’s husband, Prince Albert, that Queen Vitoria opened the Exhibition of manufactured products in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park. The Britain Empire’s powerfulness and industrialization were exposed all over the world, which consolidated a high position for England at the age. It was the precedent of many international fairs so people gave it another name” World’s Fair”.

     There are lots of pavilions at World’s Fairs and each of them is responsible a particular country. The style and design of architecture represents the characteristic of the country. At World’s Fair, two types of expositions can be seen: registered and recognized. Registered expositions are the biggest displays and every nations show their new inventions or specialties. For example, Italy usually presents international well-known brands and Japan likes to presents its invention of Robot. Recognized ones are smaller and usually organizers build for participating states. They can exhibit in there without taxes, rents, charges and expenses. The former duration during the exhibition is longer than the latter. In addition, a third category of exposition is the horticultural exposition where gardens and garden pavilions take the form of a participant’s representation.

World’s Fair can be divided into the era of industrialization, the era of cultural exchange, and the era of nation branding.

Industrialization(1851-1938):

During the period, the expositions focused on trade and the show of technological inventions and advancements. The famous inventions, such as the telephone, were first displayed during this era.

Cultural exchange(1939-1987):

Although technology and inventions were still important, the fairs put more emphasis on cultural significance and began to address issues of humankind. For example, the theme of NY World’s Fair in 1939 is” Building the World of Tomorrow” and Stockholm World’s Fair in 1949 is”Sports”.

Nation branding(1988-present):

It has been a trend to use the exposition to express national images through pavilions since the Expo’88 in Brisbane.

Today’s World’s Expositions include elements of all three eras.