Baltic Nations Reveal Mascot and Pavillion for EXPO Osaka 2025
The battle of the mascots for EXPO Osaka escalated at Happoen on January 14 as Latvia and Lithuania unveiled Barabi-chan, based on the two north European nations’ most celebrated food, the humble mushroom. The Official Presentation of the Baltic Pavilion Concept for Expo 2025 Osaka also explained how they have joined forces to create the concept of “We Are One” highlighting the interaction between nature, people and technology. It aims to discover and stimulate the power of human cooperation to build a better future.
Latvian Ambassador Zigmars Zilgalvis and Lithuanian Ambassador Aurelijus Zykas said they see EXPO Osaka 2025—which will take place in Japan from 13 April to 13 October—as an excellent opportunity to transform potential into concrete investment and export projects and introduce the three nations’ culture to each other.
“According to recent survey data, only 11% of Japan’s population recognizes Latvia. By participating in EXPO 2025 Osaka, we aim to raise this awareness, double our export turnover, and increase Japanese investment in Latvia by up to 20 times,” said Lasma Lidaka, Director of the Baltic Expo Pavilion. She added that entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to participate in 15 different exhibitions, specialized industry trade missions and other business events.
“When designing the Baltic Pavilion, it is important to understand the purpose of the exhibition and the innovations of our region in the context of Japan and the world. Most countries’ pavilions will try to impress the technologically advanced Japanese Expo visitor with their technological solutions. In the Baltic Pavilion, we combine these opposites in an interactive installation, highlighting both the technological advances of our region and the presence of nature. At the centre of this interaction are we—the people and communities. In the Baltic Pavilion, the touchscreen of today’s digital world will be transformed into a striking, intuitive platform made of the basic elements of nature: water condensate, on which the message left by visitors fades over time. I am confident that the visually impressive and meditative pavilion will leave the digitally active visitors in Japan impressed and stimulate positive interest in the Baltic region in the fields of technology and investment, as well as tourism,” says exhibition designer and artist Artūrs Analts.
The exhibition will unite 160 countries, nine international organizations and more than 28 million visitors.
The main element of the pavilion will be the interactive Wall of the Future. Made of green glass, it symbolises our shared Earth, including the green Baltic forests. Using a unique technology that forms condensation on the glass, the green wall will become an interactive platform on which every visitor will be able to leave a message. Visitors’ messages will disappear within a few minutes, creating a new platform for future visitors and their messages. The intuitive experience on the large-format wall is intended to be an inclusive, visible, tangible, sensory environment, allowing every visitor to express themselves, regardless of gender, age, language or ability.