Part of my new job is to work closely with the Swedish Expo Committee for the Shanghai World Expo that kicks of on May 1 this year (can’t believe it’s so soon, it’s less than 100 days now!). Shanghai city’s currently undergoing a facelift and there’s expo fever everywhere in town: New metro lines are being constructed, building facades are being fixed up, new roads are underway, and you name the rest. Yesterday I got a chance to visit the Expo area and get a guided tour of the Swedish Pavilion. It was quite interesting to see the spot and get an idea of what everything eventually will look like, even though there’s a long way to go still. The Swedish Pavilion is located in between the Norwegian and the Danish, in a so called “Nordic Cluster” (the Finnish Pavilion –which looks pretty cool- is also in this area).The theme of the Swedish Pavilion is “The Spirit of Innovation” –so expect it to be innovative, sustainable and fun in an interactive way. It’s SWECO that has done the architecture in case someone is interested.
I don't understand what are these World Expo for ?
ReplyDeleteYour new job seems to be really interesting. It's a once in a life time experience work with the expo. Earlier I was wondering if your new work is something to do with the expo...
ReplyDeleteDo you know are there a lot of Shanghai swedes working for the expo? Not volunteering but getting paid for their job?
great pictures, Jonna! I can't wait for the expo...I'm working in the US Pavilion from July through October and I can't wait to go back to SH. Perhaps I will come by the Swedish pavilion and meet you!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun job. I used to get in trouble for trying to play in construction as a kid. I was always fascinated by half-finished buildings. Don't know why.
ReplyDeleteSo, what's the purpose of the World Expo? Sharing culture?
wow!! This makes me even more excited! When i decided i wanted to study in Shanghai I didn´t know that this year was the World Expo :)
ReplyDeleteI will be looking forward to see all the amazing pavillions! I hope the Mexican Pavillion will look really cool! and of course I will go and visit the Swedish Pavillion because I consider Sweden my second home ;)
Great photos, Jonna! And it sounds very exciting to be working on a project of this size and intensity. I'm sure that as the time gets closer and closer to the opening, that the pressure will build... which makes it fun since it has a definite end-date in sight. Would be great to see similar photos of the final product ... after they have removed all the scaffolding. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteMountaincat & Brad -cultural exchange, nation branding, attract investors, showcase your country... I think there are many reasons!
ReplyDeleteTarja -yeah, I love my new job!! I'm not working for the Expo committee but I'm working closely with them. There are lots of Swedes working for the Swe expo. All the guides are getting paid, I don't know anyone working there for free actually?
Kate -really?! That's awesome! I think the US pavilion and the Swedish pavilion are quite close! I won't be in the pavilion every day but I expect I still have to attend the area quite often because of work. What are u doing in the US pavilion? Hope to see u this summer!
Bere -well there u go, u get 2 in one. :)
Carl -I promise u more photos in the future. Yeah, it's a huge project, and yeah, life is going to get stressful the closer we move towards it... that's for sure!
Sounds like fun then. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteyeah, I'm really excited about it! I'm a "student ambassador" haha (it'll be the year between undergrad and law school for me) so basically I am there to try to make the US look appealing! :P As far as i know i'll be giving tours of the pavilion and answering questions about the exhibits. I have to get my Chinese back in fighting shape soon though! eek!
ReplyDeleteLooks and sounds interesting, Jonna! I'm happy to see that you're enjoying your new job :)
ReplyDeleteI'll probably will be in Shanghai this summer, so I'll pass by!