The Seed Cathedral

The UK Pavilion is a demonstration of innovation and creativity. Their theme at Expo 2010 is “Changing the Chinese perception of the UK”.  The UK pavilion is a statement of innovation and advanced technology with a commitment to developing a long term partnership with China.

The UK Pavilion will also offer a preview of the 2012 London Olympics with their ”Olympic Corner”, which features a large ”green map” or the 2.5-square-kilometer Olympic Park in Stratford in East London. The park will be turned into the largest park in Britain and will be developed into a complex incorporating entertainment and sports.

The UK Pavilion is designed as a gift to China.  The centrepiece of the UK pavilion is a six storey high object, known as the Seed Cathedral, formed from 60,000 slender transparent rods, which extend from the structure and quiver in the breeze.  During the day, each of the 7.5m long rods act like fibre-optic filaments, drawing on daylight to illuminate the interior, thereby creating a contemplative awe-inspiring space.  At night, light sources at the interior end of each rod allow the whole structure to glow.

Kirnu Post Stamps

Finland will issue two stamps featuring The Kirnu Pavilion for the 2010 World Expo on May 4. The stamps will be on sale in the pavilion’s souvenir shop.

The Chinese Lantern Festival

China’s traditional Lantern Festival got new color yesterday when ten sets of lanterns in the shape of Expo 2010 lit up Shanghai’s Longhua area.  The pavilions on show included China, Australia, Russia, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Luxembourg, Romania, Poland and USA.  The fair was organized by the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture, Radio, Film and Television and the Xuhui District Government.  All of the lanterns at the Longhua Lantern Fair were made by craftsmen in Zigong, Sichuan Province.

The Lantern Festival is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar year in the Chinese calendar.  During the Lantern festival, it is common that children go out at night to temples carrying paper lanterns and solve riddles on the lanterns.  This tradition officially ends the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Snipe Drive in China

Finnish alternative rock band Snipe Drive will tour China in March.  The tour begins on the 11^th of March and the band will play 11 gigs in 13 days, also in Beijing and Shanghai.  This will be the longest tour ever done by a Finnish band in China.  Rock on! (more…)

Beijing at Expo 2010

Beijing will hold a dress parade around the Shanghai Expo site during Beijing Week, from May 4 to 8.  Around 200 performers will be doing various arts seen at 16 famous venues of the city.  It has been said that the opening ceremony for Beijing Week in front of the joint provincial pavilion will be as exciting as the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.



60 Days to Expo

With only 60 days to go, Expo officials say arrangements including city projects and pavilion construction are well on track.  The Bund area, which has been under reconstruction for two years, will be open to the public March 28.  It has been said that it will be ‘’as charming and friendly to tourits as the Avenue des Champs d’Elysees in Paris.’’

All pavilion construction and major city projects should be finished by April 15.

Shanghai Pavilion

The Shanghai Pavilion, a traditional stone-gated house, will exhibit at World Expo 2010 under the massive China Pavilion.  Even though the whole city will be the real Shanghai Pavilion, all provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions, special administration regions and rogue provinces will exhibit at World Expo.  Shanghai will showcase the city’s ‘’tolerance, energetic and innovation’’ in a shikumen-style with the theme of ‘’New Horizons Fever.’’  The exhibition will help visitors understand the city through objects and pictures and show a future Shanghai that is more ‘’attractive, integrated and intelligent.’’

The Year of the Tiger

It’s Chinese New Year celebration time! Feb 13th from 2-6 pm at Lasipalatsi square, Mannerheimintie 22-24, Helsinki. (more…)

Pan Jian Feng at Lasipalatsi Gallery

If you happen to be in Helsinki this weekend, you have to check out Pan Jian Fengs “No Matter” show at Lasipalatsi Gallery. Most likely you’ll have the chance to meet the artist himself!

The Pavillion Package

Here it is. The Finnish Pavilion, Kirnu, almost ready from the outside. The photo was taken on a bit cold, late January day and the pavilion building is still hiding behind the cover.