A cozy wooden structure among the pavilions of other countries at the world exhibition "EXPO 2020" in Dubai, which began today, the Lithuanian pavilion attracts visitors from the very first moments.
According to the Minister of the Environment, Simon Gentvil, who participated in the inauguration of the pavilion, in Dubai our country presents itself as a state of wooden architecture, renewable energy resources, organic food and high technology.
"Although Lithuania is very small, we have something to show, and this is perfectly reflected in our pavilion," said Aistė Gedvilienė, chairperson of the Seimas Environmental Protection Committee, after its opening.
The semi-annual exhibition is expected to be the world's largest this year and next event. 192 countries participate in it. The image of Lithuania presented in Dubai is also very important for the business of our country, as it provides direct dividends - huge opportunities to establish international relations and find partners.
According to its general commissioner, Romos Jankauskas, head of the EXPO department of the Ministry of the Environment, the Lithuanian pavilion is located in a convenient place for visitors, its style matches the neighboring Slovenian and Swedish pavilions and emphasizes the advantages of this part of EXPO 2020, which is dedicated to sustainable development. On 1000 sq.m., which combines modern and traditional architectural trends. The solar power plant installed on the roof of the building with an area of meters produces energy to cool it. On the first day of the exhibition in Dubai, the thermometer shows 39 degrees of heat.
In the installation "Kinetic Tree of Innovations" decorating the central hall of the pavilion, motifs of traditional bands intertwine with technological solutions created in Lithuania that aim to protect the environment and can change the world (achievements in the fields of life sciences, lasers, renewable energy, circular economy, etc.). They are presented on the so-called podiums of success. The pavilion has a team of 12 guides, a cafe serving Lithuanian dishes, and a souvenir shop.
Events will not last here for the whole half-year. They start with a week dedicated to climate change and biodiversity. October 2 a forum on climate and biodiversity issues is being held. The following weeks and forums will be dedicated to space technology, urban development, knowledge and education, health care, tourism and travel, agriculture and food industry, etc. Sustainable design and photography exhibitions will be exhibited, documentaries will be shown. Lithuania should receive the most attention on October 22, which the organizers of the exhibition declared the National Day of our country.
Lithuania has participated in EXPO exhibitions since 1937, and after the restoration of independence - in thirteen exhibitions. In eight of them, the presentation was organized by the Ministry of Environment.
Although due to the pandemic, EXPO 2020 was postponed for a year for the first time in the entire 170-year history of EXPO by the general agreement of the participating countries, neither its theme ("Let's connect the world, let's create the future") nor the number of participants (192 countries) have changed. Its name has not changed either. From 2021 October 1 until 2022 March 31 the ongoing exhibition will continue to be called "EXPO 2020". Due to the changing pandemic situation, only the predicted number of visitors (25 million per half year) may change.
