The world exhibition in the Japanese metropolis of Osaka began with a choir concert from 10,000 votes on Sunday. Distributed over the “Grand Ring”, a two -kilometer long wooden structure that surrounds the area, offered singers and musicians between six and 93 years of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and greeted the first guests with “joy beautiful god sparks”. Despite rainy weather, the rush was great. The organizers had expected up to 150,000 visitors on the opening day. The Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had used his speech during an opening ceremony on Saturday to access unity in a world that was shaped by divisions. After the world has overcome the Covid pandemic, it is now “extremely important that people from all over the world come together to discuss the questions of life in the next era”. The Japanese emperor Naruhito and his wife also attended the ceremony after they had previously had some highlights of the world exhibition. Naruhito praised the Expo as an opportunity for people not only to take care of themselves, but also to other people and nature. In the opening ceremony, Japan presented himself with a mix of tradition, modernity and future. The event was moderated by a digital avatar, performances were shown by Sumoringers and Geishas, but also J-POP dance groups. “We will present a new Japan to the world,” said Ishiba. Moonstone is being exhibited. The host country uses the topic “We design a future society for our lives”, especially for technical innovations. A stem cell, about three centimeters tall, caused a sensation that beats by itself. In addition, prototypes of flying taxis and self -driving buses are presented. The German pavilion focuses entirely on the topic of sustainability and shows various approaches how a circular economy can contribute to protecting the resources, but an eye -catcher is also: stones. The United States show a moonstone in their pavilion that an astronaut is said to have brought from the moon in 1972. Japan shows an asteroid of Mars, which was found in Antarctic in 2000. Israel, on the other hand, brought a stone with him to come from a watchtower that had protected the old Jerusalem from the Syrians 2000 years ago and is currently to symbolize the state’s resistance. The Palestinians, also represented on the Expo, protest against the exhibit because they see it as theft from occupied areas. The organizers want to see the Expo understood as a sign of peace and unity, precisely because among the 158 countries and regions represented by Israel and Palestine as well as Ukraine with their own appearances. By October 15, 27 million visitors await you. The sluggish pre -sale leaves doubts about the goal. In surveys, the Japanese express little interest in the Expo. You feel the event that was built on an artificially filled “island of dreams” as a waste of money, resources and workforce. Compared to the original planning, the costs have almost doubled to 235 billion yen (1.4 billion euros).
