Israel is building its own unique egg-shaped pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai to show off innovations to improve the quality of life. The event is scheduled to open on May 1st and will be the first time that Israel has built its own pavilion for a World Expo.
Israel hopes to walk away from the Expo, with millions of dollars in orders for innovative and environmental-friendly projects after an expected 70 million from around the world pass through the Expo's doors. It also expects closer relations with China, which is looking to Israel for solutions for migration from rural to urban areas as well as for help with its agriculture.
The unusual pavilion is a combination of traditional Chinese philosophy and modern Israeli design, according to Yaffa Ben-Ari, Israel's Deputy Commissioner-General to the Shanghai Expo.
Israeli vegetation will be displayed inside an "Enlighten Garden” orchard inside the pavilion, with irrigation systems that were pioneered in Israel. The agricultural part of the pavilion is dubbed the "Whispering Garden," which also will feature a Hall of Light showing off achievements on a 15-meter-high screen.
A “Hall of Innovation” will include a special audio-visual show that allows visitors to “talk” with Israeli children and professionals via hundreds of screens. More than 100 Israeli companies, headed by global leader Ormat, are involved in alternative and renewable energy, which is one of the highlights of the Expo.