|
|
ADVERTISEMENT
Buy Your own advertising
spaces!
.
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader to open [PDF] files.
Recent Visitors
Small nation's green heart
2009. 22 July
(english.eastday.com)
The small European nation of Luxembourg, renowned as the "green heart of
Europe," will encapsulate its special character in a "forest and fortress"
pavilion and distribute special Expo stamps, Yang Jian reports. Luxembourg is
only half the size of Shanghai, but is one of Western Europe's key countries and
a popular destination for tourists.
The tiny "green heart of Europe" attracts visitors with its imperial fortresses, peaceful vineyards and green forests - all to be condensed into a 3,000-square-meter pavilion at World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.
Inside the pavilion, Luxembourg will present its ancient stately character and modern technology while taking in classical Chinese sensibilities. The cost is estimated to be US$9 million.
Designers call it a special "forest and fortress" concept and the idea comes from the literal Chinese translation of Luxembourg - lu sen bao (forest and fortress).
The unique design not only presents Luxembourg's reputation as the "green heart of Europe," but also embodies the theme of Shanghai Expo, "Better City, Better Life," says Thomas Rohdewald, director of the pavilion.
The 15-meter-high main structure of steel, wood and glass is an open fortress and castle structure with large openings, overlooked by a medieval-type tower. A large vineyard will surround the fortress.
Large entrances and exits will allow a continuous flow of visitors to avoid long queues and make visitors feel comfortable.
To increase the feeling of openness, the outer walls will include translucent panels, each representing a Chinese character.
Luxembourg emphasizes making the pavilion environmentally friendly. It will be energy-efficient and will use renewable energy.
"All the materials are recyclable," says pavilion architect Francois Valentiny.
A children's nursery will be set up within the castle beside a restaurant. The menu will offer special Luxembourg beer, fine wines, sausages and traditional dishes, as well as Chinese food.
The exhibition area itself will feature two-way audiovisual transmissions via satellite between Luxembourg and Shanghai.
Visitors can talk with Luxembourg people and a live program of Luxembourg events will be broadcast, so the country can be brought closer to Chinese people. There will be translations in French, English and Chinese, going both ways.
The two-way program aims to represent the harmoniouscoexistence of different cultures and a harmonious life made possible by modern technology, notably communications.
Large flat screens that use light-sensitive technology will illustrate in three dimensions the achievements of the Luxembourg economy.
Village Schengen
The Schengen Visa, issued in 1985, has made traveling between its participating European member countries much easier for world tourists.
The visa holder can travel to any (or all) member countries using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining individual visas for each country.
Most people know the visa, but fail to realize that it was born in a small village in Luxembourg�?- Schengen, says Rohdewald.
He says the Luxembourg Pavilion will showcase the village's scenery and the daily lives of its people as well as celebrate the 25th anniversary of the visa.
VIP visitors to the pavilion will get a Shanghai Expo stamp, printed in 2010 by Luxembourg Post, and Shanghai euro coins and notes issued by the Luxembourg Central Bank to celebrate the Expo.
The central bank will begin to print the coins and notes within two months and will issue them next May to mark the opening of the Shanghai event. What to see?
The pavilion will feature an imperial fortress, peaceful vineyards and green forests.
What to eat?
A Luxembourg restaurant will serve special Luxembourg beer, fine wines, sausages and traditional dishes, as well as Chinese food.
Want to have fun?
The exhibition area will feature two-way audiovisual transmissions via satellite between Luxembourg and Shanghai. Visitors can talk with Luxembourg people and the pavilion will also host a live program of Luxembourg events.3,000 sq m
The 3,000-square-meter pavilion will have a tower that overlooks the main structure.20,000 visitors
The pavilion aims to attract 20,000 visitors.US$9m
Total cost of the pavilion, which will be environmentally friendly and use renewable energy, will be US$9 million. Highlight: VIP visitors to the pavilion will get a Shanghai Expo stamp, printed in 2010 by Luxembourg Post, and Shanghai euro coins and notes issued by the Luxembourg Central Bank to celebrate the Expo.
Source:english.eastday.com