Hungary at the World Expo Shanghai

Hungary at the World Expo

The Hungarian Government adjudicated in its 2075/2006 decision that Hungary would participate in World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China. The Participation Contract was signed by Dr. András Huszty, Ambassador and Special Envoy of the Prime Minister for the Development of Hungarian-Chinese Economic Relations and for the Coordination of the Participation at Shanghai World Expo in 2010, in the presence of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány on the 5th of September, 2007.

China is one of the fastest developing countries in the world, a political and economical superpower. Already the fact, that China organizes the World Expo 2010 raises the event out of the row of Expositions, especially because more visitors are expected then ever before.

All this gives us the chance to introduce our country to the 70 million – mainly Chinese – visitors, to form their image of Hungary, and present Hungary’s scientific and cultural contribution to the world’s development.

Hungary, as a “smelter” of nations living in the Carpathian Basin, has diverse culture and mentality, is proud of its achievements and is open to the world. Our participation can help us to present our technical and scientific knowledge, achievements of our technological development, our culture, environmental values and the preservation of those, furthermore, the best of our possibilities in tourism to the world and to China.

According to experts, Hungary’s participation could also result in an ease of the bias in Hungarian-Chinese commercial relations. Introducing Hungarian products in China could indirectly support a rise in Hungarian export, which is an important way to reduce commercial deficit between the two countries.

Our participation could grant us several economical advantages, such as growing investments, a boom in commercial relations, extending co-operations in the field of science and last but nut least, the boost of tourism.

The idea

We can remember from our studies that a synonym for China is the „Middle Empire”, which doesn’t refer to superiority like being the middle of Earth. Chinese philosophy has always been introverted, the Middle was considered as the fifth direction, immobile, a point of reference. The basis of Chinese philosophy is balance (Yin Yang), avoiding the extremes, and respecting harmonious society.

Respecting the traditions is one of the most important principles in China – even among an amazing technological and economical development. This is why we should not be surprised that the idea of harmonious society became an accentuated watchword already in the late 1980s, then turned into an approach to determine the Chinese thinking and common talk by now.

This high level of Chinese consciousness defines the main theme of the World Expo 2010 „Better City, Better Life” which deals with living conditions of the continuously increasing number of people living in huge cites and sustainable development.

Basically there are two ways for participating countries, organizations and companies to joint this theme.

Some of them contribute to the all-inclusive observation of the theme by introducing specifically practical solutions in the field of sustainability, renewable energy, environment protection and best practices. The Norwegian, the Hong Kong Pavilion or the corporate and industrial pavilions are only a few examples.

Some others decided to approach from a more philosophical and abstract way. Let’s take for example the Russian fairy tale like Pavilion or the Mexican Pavilion with its wonderful, huge kites giving visitors a minute of peace. The Hungarian Pavilion is one of these with a harmonious exhibition turning into playfulness and creativity, also showing the hospitality of the country to its visitors.

Hungary chose the motto “Harmony, Creativity, Hospitality” to introduce itself and its values at World Expo 2010 Shanghai. The concept of the Hungarian Pavilion becomes tangible through its main theme, the Gömböc and of course through the Pavilion itself.