Construction of Russian EXPO 2010 pavilion in Shanghai

The construction of Russia’s pavilion for the World Expo 2010 exhibition in Shanghai is on schedule. The pavilion will open to visitors on May 1, Russia’s Industry and Trade Minister Viktor Khristenko said on Friday. He is currently on a working visit to China.

Russia’s participation in the exhibition is not limited to the construction of its own pavilion and the general exposition. It will also conduct a business, science and cultural program based on a common theme.

The motto of the EXPO is “Better City, Better Life.” The designers of Russia’s pavilion based the project on the idea of a “sun city,” created by Soviet children’s writer Nikolai Nosov.

Viktor Khristenko said that Russia’s pavilion would be a “fairy tale city” and would mostly be connected with the younger generation. “We had an idea that the best city is one that is good for children and that this city would be built by those who are children now,” the Russian minister said.

The pavilion consists of 12 towers, which represent the 12 months of the year and the twelve-hour cycle of time. Each tower has a unique decoration of an Oriental, Slavic or western pattern.

Viktor Khristenko stressed that participation in the forthcoming exhibition was very important for Russia.

“It’s is a big, beautiful and independent pavilion, where Russia can present its vision and conception of the future. It is an opportunity to join the global dialogue and discuss our views of the future and of how we should organize the lives of our children,” the minister added.

The world exhibition with around 200 participants will take place in Shanghai, China, from May 1 to October 31. The opening ceremony will take place on April 30.

Over 190 countries and 50 international organizations will take part in Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

Russia built its last pavilion at the international exhibition in Montreal about 30 years ago. Photo: Russia’s Expo 2010 pavilion in Shanghai.