the scene of signing ceremony
layout of outside look of Luxembourg pavilion
Luxembourg today unveiled its national pavilion design for World Expo Shanghai 2010, giving visitors a preview of its unique "forest and fortress" scene.
The idea "forest and fortress" comes from the literal meaning of the Chinese term for Luxembourg. The pavilion, built from steel, wood and glass, will be an open fortress around with greenery.
The 15-meter-high main structure will resemble an ancient castle with large openings surrounded by medieval towers,
"All the materials are recyclable," said the architect of the pavilion, Francois Valentiny. Also, the outside walls will be translucent, on which Chinese characters will be shown.
The exhibition area of the pavilion is about 1,300 square meters. The downstairs hall will stage a satellite video show displaying live scenes from the country.
"Visitors will be able to talk with Luxembourg people through satellite. And we will bring live programs of Luxembourg events here," said Jeannot Krecke, the country's Minister of the Economy and Foreign Trade.
The surrounding medieval castles will have a kindergarten and a restaurant. The restaurant will provide special food and drinks from Luxembourg, such as beer, wine, sausages and traditional dishes, as well as Chinese food.
Visitors will also be able to buy Shanghai stamps, which will be printed in 2010 by the Luxembourg Post, and special Shanghai Euro coins issued by the Luxembourg Central Bank to celebrate the Expo.
The country unveiled its plan at a ceremony to mark the signing of the participation contract with Expo organizers. Luxembourg is the fourth country to sign the contract, after Ukraine, Hungary and Switzerland.
The design plan is very unique, and not only presents Luxemburg's reputation as the "green heart of Europe," but also embodies the theme of the Shanghai Expo, "Better City Better Life," said Hong Hao, director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination.
"The objective of the project is to demonstrate the concept of sustainable development through the structure and the content of the pavilion," said Robert Goebbels, the commission general of Luxembourg.
Robert Goebbels (left), the commission general of Luxembourg, shakes hands with Hong Hao, director of Shanghai World Expo Coordination.
Jeannot Krecke, the country's Minister of the Economy and Foreign Trade
Hong Hao, director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination
Zhou Hanmin, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination
Robert Goebbels, the commission general of Luxembourg
designing plan for the pavilion
designing plan for the pavilion
designing plan for the pavilion
designing plan for the pavilion
