26/03/10 - Denmark sent off yesterday its cherished Little Mermaid statue to Shanghai to be placed in the Danish Pavilion at the Expo opening on May 1. 

The Little Mermaid is a cultural symbol of Copenhagen, Denmark, constructed in 1913 in the memory of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen (1805 - 1875).  Andersen wrote "The Little Mermaid," which has since been adapted by Disney and other various media.

A farewell ceremony, which took place yesterday at the Copenhagen Harbor, was presided by the Danish Commissioner-General to EXPO Shanghai 2010, Christopher Bo Bramsen.  A performance by two dancers, one dressed as a Chinese-style dragon and the other a mermaid, symbolized the close ties between China and Denmark.  Chinese and Danish children also sang songs to see the Little Mermaid off.  Speeches were given by the Danish Economic and Business Affairs Minister Brian Mikkelsen, Copenhagen Lord Mayor, Frank Jensen, and officials from the Chinese Embassy in Denmark.

The statue, 1.25 meters high and weighing about 175 kilograms, will be traveling from Copenhagen Harbor for the first time since 1913.  It will be placed in the midst of a 20-meter wide pool in the middle of the pavilion.  The Little Mermaid will be returned after the Expo.

Denmark has coined a term for its pavilion name at the Expo using the words welfare and fairytales: "Welfairytales."  The underlying concept is that after the attainment of wealth, one will go for welfare, a more complex notion, and that wealth and welfare go hand-in-hand. The pavilion will add an element of fairytales to this notion. The message is that growth must be accompanied by sustainability and social responsibility, and the pavilion will present Danish technological solutions to city problems.

BIE President Jean-Pierre Lafon

22/01/10 - The President of the BIE, Jean-Pierre Lafon, attended on Wednesday the presentation of the French Pavilion at EXPO Shanghai 2010, which marked its 100-day countdown yesterday.

President Lafon applauded China's ongoing efforts in view of the Expo opening.  He explained that the Expo, which will gather cities from around the world, provides an excellent global platform to exchange experiences in urban development.

The Commissioner-General of the French Pavilion, José Frèches, expressed appreciation for China's help in France's preparation for its participation at the Expo.  The promotion meeting, he stressed, was not only for the French Pavilion but also for EXPO Shanghai as a whole.

Also present at the meeting was the celebrated French fashion designer, Pierre Cardin, who will participate in the Expo, as well as the French actor, Alain Delon, who serves as the image ambassador for the pavilion.  Sponsors, designers, and other celebrities also expressed their wishes for a successful exhibition.

French actor Alain Delon, who serves as image ambassador for the French Pavilion

Titled, "Sensual City," art, romance, and the dainty will figure greatly in the Pavilion of France, according to its architect, Jacques Ferrier.

(Information gathered from Xinhua)

25/09/09 - Le Commissaire Général du Japon pour EXPO Shanghai 2010, Hiroshi Tsukamoto, a été élu hier Président du Comité directeur du Collège des Commissaires Généraux.

Le Comité directeur, qui se réunira régulièrement pendant l'Expo, est composé de 32 Commissaires Généraux. Il permet aux Commissaires Généraux de tous les pays participants d'avoir une représentation adéquate auprès du Commissaire Général de l’Expo et des organisateurs ainsi que d'assurer un lien direct avec le BIE. Le Comité directeur examine les questions ayant un intérêt  commun aux pays participants et veille à la bonne application des règlements liés à l’Expo.

Pertti Huitu, Commissaire Général de la Finlande, Hernan Somerville, Commissaire Général du Chile, et Laurence Konmla Broplehat, Ministre de l'Information et Commissaire Général du Liberia, ont été élus Vice-présidents du Comité directeur.

Le président du BIE, Jean-Pierre Lafon, a exprimé sa confiance dans le succès de l'Expo. Il a noté que des préparatifs étaient en bonne voie. Il a également rappelé l'importance du thème de l'Expo.

Vicente González Loscertales, Secrétaire Général du BIE, a félicité les efforts des organisateurs et a rappelé que le travail principal à présent consiste à assurer l’achèvement des travaux des pavillons et des expositions et à veiller à ce que les participants respectent les délais exigés par les organisateurs. Il a également souligné l'importance de la Zone des meilleures pratiques urbaines (Urban Best Practices Area, UBPA) et le projet de l’Expo Online pour la promotion de l'Expo.