Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden join forces for a 17-meter-tall pavilion in Osaka, promoting their commitment to sustainability and collaboration.
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden are set to collaborate for a joint pavilion at the upcoming 2025 World Exposition, which will take place in Osaka, Japan. The pavilion will be a striking 17-meter-tall structure constructed from recyclable timber, embodying the Nordic commitment to nature and sustainability.
Lena Abrahamsson Lund, the chief project director of the Nordic Pavilion, conveyed the significance of this collaboration, stating, “We are a strong community together, and that’s what we want to showcase to Japan…that we can even be stronger together and also with Japan.” Her comments were made during a related event in Tokyo in January.
The pavilion will span three stories and encompass 1,200 square meters of space. It will feature innovative design elements, such as screens made from rice paper, which will create a visually dynamic environment illustrating the Nordic lifestyle, seasonal changes, and advancements in green technology. This design also reflects the pavilion’s thematic concept, dubbed the “Nordic Circle,” symbolizing the interconnectedness and “limitless potential” of the five Nordic nations.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to dine at a rooftop restaurant offering traditional Nordic cuisine, including dishes featuring salmon, thanks to sponsorship from the Norwegian Seafood Council and Danish food company Leverandorselskabet Danish Crown AmbA. Additionally, a retail space measuring 20 square meters will be available, showcasing products from each of the five Nordic countries.
Unique cultural programs will be conducted by each of the participating Nordic countries during the expo. Iceland has plans to highlight women’s empowerment initiatives, continuing its trend of ranking first in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report. Meanwhile, Norway is exploring events tied to the Nobel Peace Prize, potentially honoring last year’s laureate, Nihon Hidankyo, which represents Japanese atomic bomb survivors. Sweden is also coordinating activities related to the Nobel Prize celebrations.
Organizers are planning special events for Finland’s national day on June 12, drawing on popular cultural figures such as Santa Claus and the beloved character Moomin. Beyond cultural exchanges, the pavilion will include a business center designed to foster collaboration between the Nordic countries and Japanese businesses, as well as with other international participants.
Architect Michele De Lucchi, renowned for his global design work, leads the design of the pavilion through his firm, AMDL Circle. The materials employed in the construction of this pavilion are intended for repurposing post-event, with potential future uses in hotels, train stations, or educational institutions.
Organizers of the Nordic Pavilion have set an ambitious goal to attract 2.7 million visitors during the exposition, building on the experience of a previous joint pavilion that the five countries executed during the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi Prefecture.
Source: Noah Wire Services
