The World Expo 2010 that took place in Shanghai will make history as one of the most ambitious world expos, with the record number of participants and visitors. During the six months from May 1 to October 31, dozens of companies and 189 countries, Lithuania among them, had their representation at the Expo. The main theme that ran through Expo 2010 was “Better City, Better Life”.

 

Lithuania was represented at the World Expo for the tenth time – a round anniversary for the country. With some 30,000 visitors per day, the Lithuanian pavilion was among the most popular. During the six months, Lithuania’s pavilion had nearly 6 million visitors, which was twice as many as it had been anticipated.

 

Lithuania presented a hot air balloon as its symbol at the World Expo 2010. Visitors to the pavilion were invited to take a memorable flight over Lithuania, where the modern buildings reflecting urban progress merged perfectly with the ensemble of the old architectural houses. To stage the memorable “flight” at the Lithuanian pavilion, the company Ekspobalta had built an enormous model of a hot air balloon, its basket alone 10 metres long and wide. Every visitor to the Lithuanian pavilion was offered a chance to try sleight of hand at a symbolic basketball court as well, as Lithuania was presenting the 2011 European Basketball Championship that it will be hosting in September next year.

 

Lithuania had brought the Miracle paving block, made by Gitenis Umbrasas, from the Cathedral Square in Vilnius to Shanghai, which is renowned for its abundance of magical boulders. The Lithuanian pavilion also showcased the dynamic sculpture “I Can” by the artist Vytautas Karčiauskas of Klaipėda. Visitors to the pavilion appeared to be interested in the achievements of our country and the Lithuanian cuisine, which featured the great potato dumplings Cepelinai, buckwheat pancakes and so on, the beer, and the amber merchandise.

 

Oct 25 was marked as the national day of Lithuania on the calendar of the World Expo 2010. As it is customary, on that day the country was awarded with the immense attention from the management of the Expo and the government of Shanghai. This year Lithuania chose the Constitution Day to commemorate its national day at the Expo. Lithuania’s day was officially inaugurated by the Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė. The Lithuanian pavilion was ringing with song and dance at least once in each of the six months and the various events would always attract a good crowd.