The World Expo 2000 in Hannover-Germany

With the conclusion of the 2nd Asia-Europe Meeting in Berlin, all eyes

are now focused on another of its cities - Hannover. Hannover will host

the World Exposition to be held from June 1-Oct. 31, 2000. This is

expected to be one of the biggest world events with the dawning of the

new millennium.

We traveled for three hours from Bonn to Hannover on what they call the Ice

Train. Upon arrival, we were met by an officer of the committee on Expo 2000,

Sabine Mpacko, who not only warmly welcomed us but also graciously

answered all our questions. We also met with Eva Gutman, Press officer of

the EXPO 2000 and George Sewig who is responsible for international

participants and who was in Manila recently to drum up support and seek the

participation of the Philippines in this event.

We had a tour of the Expo site which sits on a 170-hectare property in the

Southern outskirts of Hannover, Germany. Although the pavilion of nations is

still under construction and other facilities are yet to be completed, the Expo

site promises to be a fitting showcase of the best the world has to offer.

Obviously, it is ready to host this international meeting of giant proportions

with over 180 nations participating.

Preparations are certainly in full swing with a little over a year to go until the

time that it officially opens its gates to the world on June 1, 2000. It will run for

153 days (up to October 31, 2000) and is expected to draw more than 40

million visitors worldwide.

EXPO 2000 thrives on the enormously diverse characters of each country

involved. No other place on earth where you will find so many nations coming

together in one place. In Hannover - Americans, Europeans, Asians, Africans,

Latins, and even those from the small island states, will be presenting their

cultures, their culinary delicacies and their traditions to an international public.

The Japanese pavilion, for example, will showcase the delicate nature of the

country's art. It will be decorated with filigree lattice on cardboard. The

Chinese pavilion will feature the Forbidden City in Beijing and allow the

onlookers to experience a colorful dragon festival. Visitors may also wander

through the 4000-square meter Arabian desert-fort forming the United Emirates

Pavilion and may even come across some camels. In effect, anyone who will

be at EXPO 2000, travels right around the world and experiences the special

characteristics of a country which can only be appreciated if one is completely

immersed.

The exhibits by the numerous participating countries will not be the only major

feature of EXPO 2000, but it has also a wide-ranging culture and events

program. Top international artists, musicians, performers, sportsmen and

sportswomen will be in Hannover to provide over 15,000 events of

entertainment, fun and excitement. Fantasy and creativity belong to

humankind's most valuable resources. An ambitious cultural program at EXPO

2000 provides for innovative and daring productions and great entertainment.