Expo 2008

Expo 2008 was an international exposition held from 14 June to 14 September 2008 coordinated by the Bureau of International Expositions, the organization that is responsible for sanctioning World's Fairs, held in Zaragoza, Spain, with the topic of "Water and sustainable development". The event is being placed in a meander of the river Ebro.

Zaragoza, host city for the International Exposition, is the administrative and financial capital of the autonomous community of Aragon and the fifth largest Spanish city in inhabitants (660,000), behind Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville. Zaragoza was elected the host city of Expo 2008 on December 16 2004 by the BIE, beating Thessaloniki (Greece) and Trieste (Italy).

The exhibition’s most emblematic buildings are the Water Tower, a 80-metre-high transparent building designed by Enrique de Teresa to evoke a drop of water, Zaha Hadid's Bridge Pavilion and the river aquarium. The exposition site also hosts several spectacles, including a daily parade by Cirque du Soleil called "The Awakening of the Serpent".

Aside from the countries, non-government organizations and private companies also take part in Expo 2008, always with the idea of water and sustainable development. The Expo 2008 host committee has estimated that this event could generate 135 million euros in receipts for admission to the exhibition centre.

paces and Exhibitions

Thematic Pavilions

Bridge Pavilion

The Bridge Pavilion [cite news|url=http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/Spacesandexhibitions/Therecint/ThematicPavilionsExpo/BridgePavilion/seccion=112&seccionRaiz=178&seccionDesplegar=110&idioma=en_GB.do|title=Bridge Pavilion|publisher=expozaragoza2008.com] is one of the most emblematic buildings of Expo 2008. It was designed by Zaha Hadid. It is built in two levels with the shape of a gladiola opening and closing. It joins the neighbourhood of La Almozara and the Expo site with a central island in the river Ebro.

The Bridge Pavilion hosts the exposition "Water - a unique resource," designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates. This exposition tries to present water as a universal human right, to inform visitors how water is a unique resource and to explain water management procedures and encourage citizen participation.

Water Tower

The Water Tower [cite news|url=http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/Spacesandexhibitions/Therecint/ThematicPavilionsExpo/WaterTower/seccion=113&seccionRaiz=178&seccionDesplegar=110&idioma=en_GB.do|title=Water Tower|publisher=expozaragoza2008.com] is another emblematic building of Expo 2008 and its vertical icon. It was designed by Enrique de Teresa. It is 76 metres high with 10,400 accessible square metres. At the upper floor, there is a 720 square metres panoramic bar with fantastic views over Zaragoza. Inside the tower there is a 23-metre-high sculpture called "Splash", which represents a Splash of water, "the arrival of life on our planet".The Splash sculpture based on dynamic simulation systems was designed by Pere Gifre from IKONIC ARTS.

The Water Tower hosts the exposition "Water for life" where "audiovisual media and lighting pay a key role in the way the contents are communicated".

Aquarium

This thematic pavilion [cite news|url=http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/Spacesandexhibitions/Therecint/ThematicPavilionsExpo/Aquarium/seccion=114&seccionRaiz=178&seccionDesplegar=110&idioma=en_GB.do|title=Aquarium|publisher=expozaragoza2008.com] is the biggest freshwater aquarium in Europe with 300 species of fauna from different rivers around the world in 60 tanks or terrariums. Rivers represented are:
*The Nile: It contains species of the great African lakes. It also has crocodiles and an exhibition on the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
*The Mekong: In this river visitors will find species of the Himalayas, gardens from the river's lower course, the Pacific Ocean and coral reefs.
*The Amazon river: It is divided into three different areas. The first of them is the Amazon jungle with its coconut trees and mangroves. The second area is about the Amazon forest while the third area is the mangrove swamp with an exhibition on the Atlantic Ocean.
*The Murray-Darling river: This exhibition begins in the flooded regions and goes through desert areas. It finishes with a video exhibition about birds.
*The Ebro: It is also represented in two areas. The first area is a mountain cave and the second is the course of the river. There will also be an exhibition on the Mediterranean sea.
*The "World River": It represents the past, when "all the continents were united as a single island surrounded by ocean".

Thematic Squares

Thirst

With its several mirrors this thematic square is an optical illusion for the visitors [cite news|url=http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/Spacesandexhibitions/Therecint/Themedplazas/Thirst/seccion=116&seccionRaiz=178&seccionDesplegar=115&idioma=en_GB.do|title=Thrist|publisher=expozaragoza2008.com] . The word "thirst" represents the need for water, without negative meanings. The square combines audiovisual projections and combinations of light and sound. It's 46.7 metres in diameter with 1,640 square metres (820 of them are the exposition area).

Igloo of Salt

Designed by Cloud 9 / Enric Ruiz-Geli, the architecture of the plaza is that of an enigmatic building. It is an inflatable structure covered with salt that reflects the sun's rays and lights up at night as if it had stored all of the necessary energy to continue to function.

This themed plaza was designed with the same sustainability criterion accompanying Expo Zaragoza 2008: the use of PVC is avoided in electrical wiring, as well as tropical wood, synthetic varnish or solvent-based paints; taps make use of water-saving systems. Additionally, the frame will be hired out to avoid having to demolish it once the exhibition has been taken apart.

The use of EFTE in the three layers making up the roof of the building makes air conditioning unnecessary for cooling the interior.

One of the EFTE layers is silver-plated to refract light and so not allow the heat from outside to penetrate the building together with the cooling provided by the air in the inflatable components and the brine system irrigating them. All of this will create a temperate building, meaning that the climate control system will only have to work against body heat produced by visitors and heat given off by equipment used in the exhibition. This way we can make use of a system that is much more sustainable than more costly and less sustainable conventional air conditioning.

Cities of water

This square has no walls so its contents are visible from outside [cite news|url=http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/Spacesandexhibitions/Therecint/Themedplazas/Citiesofwater/seccion=117&seccionRaiz=178&seccionDesplegar=115&idioma=en_GB.do|title=Cities of Water|publisher=expozaragoza2008.com] . Water is an "urban resource" and a "natural element in the process of improving quality of life in cities".

Extreme water

It symbolises the moment when a wave breaks on the beach [cite news|url=http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/Spacesandexhibitions/Therecint/Themedplazas/Extremewater/seccion=118&seccionRaiz=178&seccionDesplegar=115&idioma=en_GB.do|title=Extreme Water|publisher=expozaragoza2008.com] . This square is divided into two parts. The first part is the sensorial area with 120 mobile seats where some audiovisuals are projected. The second part is the ideas area with interactive platforms, images and texts about water and its risks.

Oikos, water and energy

This exposition is about getting energy from water [cite news|url=http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/Spacesandexhibitions/Therecint/Themedplazas/Oikoswaterandenergy/seccion=120&seccionRaiz=178&seccionDesplegar=115&idioma=en_GB.do|title=Oikos: water and energy|publisher=expozaragoza2008.com] .

hared water

On this thematic square [cite news|url=http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/Spacesandexhibitions/Therecint/Themedplazas/SharedWater/seccion=121&seccionRaiz=178&seccionDesplegar=115&idioma=en_GB.do|title=Shared Water|publisher=expozaragoza2008.com] visitors will know that political divisions affect the management of water and the importance of this common resource.

Aquatic inspirations

This square [cite news|url=http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/Spacesandexhibitions/Therecint/Themedplazas/AquaticInspirations/seccion=123&seccionRaiz=178&seccionDesplegar=115&idioma=en_GB.do|title=Aquatic Inspirations|publisher=expozaragoza2008.com] hosts the show "El hombre vertiente", created by the Argentine Pichón Baldinu, six times per day.

Participants Pavilion

Country pavilions

More than one hundred countries, plus dozens of companies and NGOs, participate in Expo 2008. The confirmed list has these 104 countries [ [http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/Participants/seccion=106&seccionRaiz=106&seccionDesplegar=119&idioma=en_GB.do Expo Zaragoza 2008 :: Participants ] ] , arranged in alphabetical order:

The 17 autonomous communities of Spain and two autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla also participate, as well as the United Nations and the European Union.

The pavilions for official participants are divided into 8 large buildings and into five differentiated eco-geographical areas within the Expo 2008 Exposition site, which will help to guide and separate the different participating countries. Those areas are:

* Islands and Coasts
* Oasis
* Ice and snow
* Temperate Forests
* Tropical Rainforests
* Mountains and High Plains
* Grasslands, Steppes and Savannahs
* Rivers and Flat plains

The joint pavilions corresponding to the eco-geographic areas of Grasslands, Steppes and Savannahs, Tropical Rainforests and Islands and Coasts, were built by the organisers to house the pavilions of countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), respectively. The total surface area of the participating countries pavilions is 61,667 m².

Spain and the region of Aragon have their own separate pavilions as hosts. The Spain Pavilion has been designed by Patxi Mangado, and the Aragon Pavilion, which resembles local basketweaving, by Daniel Olano.

Citizen's initiative pavilion

This pavilion has the shape of a beacon [cite news|url=http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/Spacesandexhibitions/Therecint/Participantspavilion/CitizensInitiativePavilion/seccion=139&seccionRaiz=178&seccionDesplegar=124&idioma=en_GB.do|title=Citizen's Initiative Pavilion|publisher=expozaragoza2008.com] , "a symbol of hope for the future of water in our world". It expresses the vitality of ordinary people and non-governmental organisations.The "Beacon" is situated by the Bridge Pavilion entrance.

Gold Prize award

The Philippines, on September 19, 2008 won the golden award, "Gold Prize", the Expo's highest award bestowed to a participating country. The award noted the quality of the Philippine pavilion’s internal and external décor, consisting of 1,000 crystal-like bubble sand, as well as its functionality which has supreme relevance to the exposition’s theme of “Water and Sustainable Development.” Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said “this recognition is truly well-deserved as our country’s wealthy aquatic life has been captured by the equally rich imagination of our fellowmen. While other countries utilized ultra modern technology, we chose to highlight more community-involved practices as well as natural land irrigation, aquatic recreation and marine resources preservation.” The Philippine pavilion's attractions included the meeting of the 2 mascots, Fluvi and Filippo, and “Filipinas Te Esperra Nights,” series of marketing events. [ [http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20080920-161861/Philippines-wins-grand-prize-in-Expo-Zaragoza globalnation.inquirer, Philippines wins grand prize in Expo Zaragoza] ]

hows

Expo 2008 has a 93-day-long shows programme with more than 3,400 acts from more than 350 companies and artists.

On the expo site, there are three shows called "Major events". They are:

Iceberg

This show was aimed to be the artistic part of the Opening Ceremony, although the flood of the river Ebro in the previous days changed plans, as the set is situated in the middle of the river. Nevertheless, the show repeats each night from 20 June [ [http://actualidad.terra.es/cultura/articulo/iceberg-expo-zaragoza-2540351.htm El espectáculo del Iceberg en la EXPO de Zaragoza comenzará el 20 de junio ] ] . The Spanish director Calixto Bieito and the scenographer Alfons Flores are responsible for the set design while the music is by José Luis Romeo. The show will have a huge iceberg with a minute human figure designed by the catalan company FOCUS.

El hombre vertiente

This show, created by the Argentine Pichón Baldinu, was the artistic part of the Opening Ceremony on 13 June, 2008, in replacement of "Iceberg". It repeats six times throughout the day on the thematic square "Water inspirations". The public experiences extreme emotions.

The awakening of the serpent

The parade is one of the great moments every day at the Expo site. "The Awakening of the Serpent" makes its way every day. Its creative director is Jean François Brouchard while its artistic director is Julien Gabriel. The parade also has water as its main theme. Canada's Cirque du Soleil participates with acrobats, actors, gymnasts, singers and musicians.

Bob Dylan & additional American Artists

Expo 2008 opened with a concert by Bob Dylan - the Official Artist of Expo 2008.

Additional American artists scheduled to perform on the evening entertainment stage include Patti Smith, Robert Cray, Keb Mo, Ruben Blades, Canadian Diana Krall, The Stray Cats, Los Lobos and Gloria Estefan. A performance by Philip Glass will close Expo 2008.

Mascot

The Expo 2008 mascot is Fluvi [cite news|url=http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/Fluvi/seccion=230&seccionRaiz=230&seccionDesplegar=456&idioma=en_GB.do|title=Fluvi|publisher=expozaragoza2008.com] , a little male drop of water.

With his best friend Ica, the smallest drop of water, and Nico and Laurita, he will fight against the pollution made by Sec and Raspa, the evil Negas.

After the Expo

The exposition site and its facilities have been planned thinking of their usage as a new extension of the city when the Expo finishes in September 2008. Some of the buildings will be rented or transferred to several institutions. This way, the Aragon Pavilion will be converted into the head office of a regional ministry, while the landmark buildings of the Expo, the Water Tower and the Bridge Pavilion, are expected to be purchased by local financial institutions. The Spanish Pavilion will be probably used by the University of Zaragoza to set up a new faculty of architecture.

The international pavilions will be remodelled and converted into offices so that the site becomes the main business park in Zaragoza. This space will also have establishments for leisure and restaurants.

A great part of the site may be used for shopping establishments and for the construction of a science park for businesses.

The Acuarium will be open for, at least, eleven years more; being the largest freshwater acuarium in europe.

References

External links

* [http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/ Official Expo 2008]
* [http://www.expo-no.es/en/ ZH2NO, Website against the Expo 2008 in Zaragoza]
* [http://www.bie-paris.org/ Bureau of International Expositions]
* [http://www.expomuseum.com/2008/ ExpoMuseum's Expo 2008 Page]
* [http://expo2008poland.pl/ Polish Pavilion]
* [http://www.pavillondelafrance2008.fr/ French Pavilion]
* [http://www.expo2008-deutschland.de/expo_de/home/index.cfm German Pavilion]
* [http://www.expo08.dk/ Danish Pavilion]
* [http://zaragoza.expo-japan.jp/ Japanese Pavilion]
* [http://www.exposaragozza2008.it/home/index.php?/ Italian Pavilion]
* [http://www.expo2008-portugal.com/hp.html Portuguese Pavilion]
* [http://expo2008.irimia.org/es/ Galician Pavilion]
* [http://www.aragonguide.com/cats.asp?cID=75 Expo Zaragoza 2008 from Aragon Guide .com]
* [http://www.pyreneestourism.org/Expo-Zaragoza-2008/ Expo Zaragoza News, Emblematic buildings and Maps]
* [http://www.expo-zaragoza-2008.net/ Basic and Practice Information about Expo 2008]
* [http://www.elfaro2008.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=335/ "Beacon" official website]
* [http://www.ikonicarts.com/splash.html The 21 metre tall Splash sculpture designed by Pere Gifre.]
* [http://www.clubofpioneers.com/blog/video-series-expo-zaragoza-2008---the-zaragozakioto-project-expo-2008-zaragosa-zaragozakioto/27/stories/637/ An upgraded video-serie about the Expo2008]