Robert Goebbels
“I would like to ask the media at present, who among you wants to retain the beautiful Luxembourg Pavilion?” This was asked by Commissioner General Robert Goebbels last Sunday, May 4 at the opening of the Luxembourg Pavilion.
Due to the high expenditures, 42 country pavilions will be demolished after the Shanghai World Expo. Goebbels revealed that there will be a “beauty pageant” for the pavilions to decide which of them will be retained. He very much hopes that Luxembourg will be chosen as one of the lucky 5 which will get to stay in China forever. Journalists also discovered that many other countries were also actively vying for the same status.
Luxembourg Pavilion: “We want to be part of the top 5.”
To embody the Shanghai World Expo theme of “Better City, Better Life”, the Luxembourg Pavilion used 4mm Corten steel manufactured by ArcelorMittal. Another name for Corten is Indaten or “weathering steel”. It was developed so that painting is not needed (for 80 years or so) and that it will finish with a stable, rust-like appearance after years of weather exposure. The pavilion also does not use air conditioning, so it is very environment-friendly. Amazingly, when visitors entered the pavilion, it actually is cool and pleasant. The walls are a double-layer structure and are constructed using wood from Luxembourg.
Another ingenuity in the pavilion is the small vineyard inside. The plan is that in the 6 months duration of the Expo, they will harvest the grapes so that the people of Shanghai can enjoy Luxembourg wine. A reporter raised a question, “But 42 pavilions will be demolished afterwards. What will happen to the vineyard?”
“That question is very interesting.” Goebbels pointed out that the original plan of the Expo organizers was to demolish everything. But that plan has been changed. Five will be left behind. “And I am positive that Luxembourg will be selected.”
Goebbels also mentioned the Schengen Agreement signed in the Luxembourg town of Schengen. “Last year, 10 million Chinese went to Luxembourg. And we welcomed the Chinese tourists. They were holding the Schengen visa which can gain them access to 25 European countries freely.”
Another attendee of the opening ceremony was the country’s Minister of the Economy and Foreign Trade Jeannot Krecke who mentioned that in the case that is not going to happen, they will bring home the pavilion for redevelopment.
The Luxembourg Pavilion was designed by Francois Valentiny.
Saudi Arabia Pavilion: The Prince said “Stay.”
Even if the days are long and hot, not a few visitors feared the sun and continued on lining up to see the pavilions up close and personal.
Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah
A reported observed that the most popular pavilion is the Saudi Arabian Pavilion which is only second in massiveness next to the China Pavilion. As the only pavilion designed in collaboration with China, its uniqueness lies in its moon shape notwithstanding the fact that it also has the largest IMAX theater inside.
The exquisite nature of the pavilion, according to Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, is thanks to the friendship of China and Saudi Arabia and the support of their coutry to the Shanghai World Expo. And because of that, he could not help but make known of his country’s wish for their pavilion to be chosen as one of the 5 which will be retained. “The Shanghai World Expo will help the world know more about Saudi Arabia. And I hope that the Saudi Arabian Pavilion will forever stay in the land of China as a witness to our friendship.”
France Pavilion: Former Prime Minister came forward to intercede.
Jean-Pierre Raffarin
Another country that is actively seeking the top 5 status is France. A reprensentative of the French Pavilion spoke to the media last Sunday, May 4 too to express their wish to be selected. He mentioned that early this year, Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin was interviewed in Shanghai and was quoted saying that the French people wants their pavilion to be retained at the Shanghai World Expo so that it will be a cultural display of their art.
The reprensentative said that the Chinese were positive to that idea, however no final word has been said yet. “We understand that China needs to finalize their urban planning plan first before they can give their answer to the French people.”
Expo Board: “We could only keep a few.”
Hong Hao
Zhu Yonglei
What is the final destiny of the beautiful and magnificent pavilions? Hong Hao, director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, made it clear that the country pavilions are all temporary and very few will be preserved. He said, “The foreign pavilions generally will be removed; but some due to the design and materials, being environment-friendly and energy-saving, will be retained.”
Deputy Director General of Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination Zhu Yonglei said regarding keeping the pavilions, “There is an intention. And there are precedents in history already. For example the Crystal Palace and the Eiffel Tower were all ‘temporary’ structures at the previous Expos. Because of the good feedback, they were preserved afterwards.”
Thanks for this coverage. Exciting contest, people don’t realize the significance of this, but eeping your pavilion in place means a lot more than winning a silly contest. It means that possibly, a 100 years from now, the pavilion of “X country” will be part of the familiar landmarks in the center of the most important metropolis in the World.
Just like the bridge built by the Russians over the Seine keeps reminding everyone of that EXPO even today. I just wish more pavillions where built with a view on long duration, but I guess it would have been too wasteful.
Hey Julen!
I’m actually pretty excited how this “beauty contest” turns out. Just think, how many years from now, that specific pavilion will be an important, important landmark–you’re right!
True, true. You’re talking about Pont Alexandre III, right? Just one of the more beautiful bridges in Paris.
Do you have a specific pavilion in mind?
And by the way, that Goebbels guy is creepy!! Please don’t put him there it scared the wits out of me!!! :)
Haha. He does look…ummm…stern. For lack of a better picture! LOL.
Well I guess it has to do with the surname as well. Not to be unfair on people called like that, but it doesn’t bring the sweetest associations :)
Oh well. Hehe. To be fair to him, he does look like a Commissioner General.
The pavillion of the Kingdom of Spain is my favourite! A very impressive and creative presentation from this great country Spain. Highly recommended!
Hi WuJiao!
Ahh…yes. The wicket basket is a good choice. Just concerned though with how it will pass under Shanghai’s summer heat! But it definitely is a creative presentation–you’re right about that!
The UK Pavilion is definitely one of our favorites. Whether or not it’s built for permanence is another question, as each rod supposedly quivers in the wind.
It’s actually a star right now just because of how it looks on the outside. And there’s actually significance to its architecture.
I like the enviroment-friendly concept of Luxemburg pavillion…and it should be on the final who-to-stay list if there is one, but are you sure World Expo Board is going to leave 5 pavillion intact after the event?
Hi Dentrite,
That’s the news. Will keep you guys updated on this one! Anyway, there’s still a long way to go.
The Luxembourg pavilion is awesome, fantastical building in design and construction leaving a visitor feel as if it should be in a fantasy setting in a beautiful green forest. Childhood memories of castles and dragons……the past and the future.
The Luxembourg pavilion should be retained as it is an extraordinary building. Yes, it is not as showy as the British pavilion nor as futuristic as Saudi Arabia, but it is a classic. Hands down for Luxembourg.
I visited the expo and loved Spain but my vote goes to India, Saudi Arabia, China, UK and Poland.
hei…you must visit indonesia pav.
it’s amazing..wonderfull..
lovely indonesian culture