世博会欧盟馆简介（英文）

EU Expo Pavilion unveils Permanent Exhibition, Exciting Events and Great Competition

On April 15th in Shanghai, Mr. Serge Abou, European Union Ambassador to China and Commissioner General of the EU Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai, held a press conference to give a sneak preview of the EU Pavilion's Permanent Exhibition, announce upcoming exciting events and launch a great competition with fabulous prizes for the lucky winners.

"The European Union is China's main economic partner," Ambassador Abou explained. "It attaches great importance to the strategic partnership built with the Chinese government."

He added that it was a personal decision of the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, to accept the invitation to participate made by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. This broke the normal policy for the European Union not to participate in Expos outside the EU.

"The Expo is a unique opportunity to expand the EU’s public diplomacy in China and to reach a large and diverse population that has for the most part limited understanding of the EU," Abou added.

The EU will share a pavilion with Belgium, which will hold the rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of 2010. This shared pavilion is at the centre of the so-called “European Quarter”, the area of the Expo site that comprises the pavilions of all European countries. It is in the shape of a box with a glass facade. It relies for its visual effect on a giant “brain cell” at its heart, and special lighting that allows it to change colour at nightfall.

Referring to the "brain cell" structure, Ambassador Abou explained that the EU permanent exhibition is based around the theme of “Intelligent Europe”.

It begins with a brief presentation of what is the EU? : members, history, values and objectives. Visitors then enter the “Open Europe” area – a panorama of the economic and social achievements of a Europe without internal borders, including the euro, Schengen visas and the Erasmus students exchange programme. This area also contains a large video installation highlighting the EU-China partnership with a creative use of calligraphy to pay respect to the Expo host country, China. The next space, “Green Europe”, is devoted to the journey which Europe has travelled in trying to protect & improve its environment, and make the transition to an innovative and sustainable society. The finale, “Living Europe”, is an immersive experience: 2 giant screens showing a 360° vision of the sights and sounds of the most pleasant sides of European life in cities: culture, history, art, food, lifestyle.

Ambassador Abou also outlined the extensive cultural programme that will offer all visitors a truly European panorama of Europe's artistic expression: dance, puppet theatre, music, cinema and sculpture. There will also be a science festival, a week dedicated to European languages and, last but not least, a football week in partnership with UEFA and its President – and Godfather of the EU Pavilion – Michel Platini, during which veteran stars of European football will play an exhibition game against veteran Chinese players. The European players that will participate have won a combined 20 “Ballons d’Or” for European Player of the Year, so this is a veritable European “Dream Team”.

Everyday, actors in historical costumes will perform in front of the Pavilion to present to visitors very famous European historical characters, artists, inventors or scientists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Mozart, Einstein or Marco Polo.

For the EU's national day celebration Europe Day on May 9th, in cooperation with Spain, which holds the rotating EU Presidency in the first half of 2010, there will be a parade of traditional troupes from all over Europe; a concert by the European Union Youth Orchestra conducted by the Spanish conductor Inma Shara and a night of live pop music with 4 different groups from the 4 corners of Europe and a giant video show on the history of the EU.

Ambassador Abou also announced a fabulous competition open to all Chinese citizens whether visitors to the Expo or not. From May 1st to October 31st, visitors to both the EU Pavilion itself as well as to our dedicated Expo website www.shanghaiexpo.eu will have the opportunity to win free flights to Europe. Every month, courtesy of Air France, one lucky winner will receive two return tickets to Europe from China (Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou) to any European destination served by Air France.

Finally, Ambassador Abou also officially introduced the EU's two cute mascots Ou Ou and Meng Meng to their new home for the next 6 months in Shanghai!