Lithuania in the News
6th July 2008
Lithuania’s Pavilion Again Triumphs at Expo 2008 in Zaragoza
Lithuania’s pavilion from the outside.
After the very successful participation by Lithuania at the World Expositions Expo 2000 in Hanover (Germany) and Expo 2005 in Aichi (Japan), Lithuania is again exhibiting at Expo 2008 in Zaragoza (Spain), which will run June 14 - September 14, 2008.
Immediately after Expo 2008 opened, Lithuania’s pavilion became a star attraction and is regarded as one of the best at the Expo. In keeping with the Expo 2008 theme of "Water and sustainable development", Lithuania’s exposition presents Lithuania as a "country of rain". Lithuania’s pavilion features a remarkable, attention-grabbing "Rain House" - which has become immensely popular with visitors. So much so, that police have had difficulty controlling the crowds seeking entry
The "Rain House" in a view from above.
into the pavilion, with visitors standing up to an hour an a half in the queue to gain admittance. The "Rain House" consists of a space of 8 cubic meters, enclosed by four walls consisting of three layers of "rain curtains", with water droplets falling down. Projectors display Lithuanian scenes on these "rain curtains". Sensors can switch off the water coming down one "wall", to allow visitors to enter inside the "Rain House" without getting wet.
Surrounding the "Rain House" there are 7 stands, which include information and souvenir stands, interactive video displays, a very popular audio stand, allowing one to listen to various Lithuanian sounds, natural and man made. There is a bar selling Lithuania’s famous beers and a very interesting thermo-well, where the mixing of hot and cold water allows one to "paint" on the surface. The resulting different temperature regions are displayed colour-coded on a large screen - very popular with children!
Queues in front of Lithuania’s pavilion.
A week after the Expo opened, Lithuania had its national day at the Expo on June 23, which coincided with the evening of St.John’s day, during which traditional festivities are held to celebrate the summer solstice. Prime Minister Kirkilas visited Lithuania’s pavilion at the Expo for the national day, together with large number of performing artists. The Prime Minister pointed out that Lithuania is a country of many rivers and over 6,000 lakes, comprising almost 3% of Lithuania’s surface area. Lithuania is probably the only country in Europe obtaining its drinking water exclusively from subterranean bores.
At Expo 2008 Lithuania’s pavilion attracts between 5,000 and 10,000 visitors a day. The pavilion is located in an excellent position, next to the pavilions of the European Commission, the United Nations and the Vatican. A total of 107 nations are represented at the Expo. Lithuania has participated in all World Expos since independence in 1990. It is now for the eighth time that Lithuania has been exhibiting at World Expos. In fact at the World Expo in Paris in 1900 Lithuania managed to get its voice heard and campaigned for independence, even though at that time it was still part of the Russian empire!

Photos courtesy www.expo2008.lt
Further information: www.expo2008.lt  www.lietuvosrytas.lt 25/06/08  www.delfi.lt 16&23/06/08