Thaindian News

Shanghai, April 30 (IANS) Over 70 million visitors from across the world are expected to attend the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai where over 100 countries will display exhibits on the theme “Better City, Better Life”.
The participating countries will display cultural icons including the Czech Republic’s lucky bronze plaque, New Zealand’s 1.8-tonne pounamu (jade) boulder, Turkey’s 8,500-year-old sculpture, Mexico’s Mayan pillars, the “Golden Lady” of Luxembourg and the “Little Mermaid” of Denmark.

The “Golden Lady” and “Little Mermaid” both travelled thousands of miles on their first journey abroad.

Works by Renaissance masters will be on display at the Italy pavilion, and seven French masterpieces, including a Rodin sculpture, will appear for the first time on foreign soil.

An 800-year-old Chinese painting titled “Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival” will present visitors a rare view of Chinese art.

The spotlight at what is avowedly the first eco-friendly expo will also be on the architecture of pavilions in all shapes, colours and sizes, depicting each country’s unique culture and history.

The Switzerland pavilion features a three-story meadow, while the Netherlands’ pavilion displays futuristic, green housing. Spain’s “Big Basket” is made of 8,000 wicker panels handmade by craftsmen, while China shows a crimson-painted inverted pyramid, Britain has a dandelion-like cathedral and Romania has a massive green apple.

The expo opens Friday.