The Japanese city, Osaka hosts the next World Expo in 2025, from April 13 to October 13. The organizers expect to welcome over 28 million visitors during the 6-month (184-day) event, with 80% of the visitors expected to come from Japan and the East Asian region. The Osaka World Expo features representatives from 160 countries and 8 international organizations.
The organizers have chosen a special location for the Expo, the artificial island called Yumeshima. The architectural concept is the responsibility of Sou Fujimoto, who also designed the House of Hungarian Music.
Courtesy of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
The central theme of the Expo is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” aimed at creating a more sustainable world. Within this central theme, the organizers have defined three sub-themes: “Saving Lives,” “Empowering Lives,” and “Connecting Lives.” In addition to the participant countries’ pavilions and permanent exhibitions striving to connect with these ideas in the most diverse and creative ways, the World Expo will also address these topics through various professional programs.
A successful Hungarian presence at the Osaka World Expo 2025 is a national interest and holds significant importance for building the image of our country. Held every five years, the Expo is one of the three most influential global economic and cultural events, with nearly every country represented. Participation offers a unique opportunity from diplomatic, economic, and tourism perspectives, and it also helps enhance the international reputation of Hungarian knowledge and creativity.
About the World Expo’s history and the Hungarian presence in short
The Expos, held every five years, are the world’s most significant tourist, economic, and cultural events. The goal of the World Expos is to provide a platform for future-shaping innovations, showcase the achievements of nations, and support the meeting of cultures, as well as the strengthening of economic and diplomatic relations among the participants.
The general world exhibition (expo), envisioned by Prince Albert, was first brought to fruition in London in 1851. Its primary goal was to showcase all human creations that serve progress in one place, for the education of both general visitors and professionals from various sectors.
1851 – London – By Read Co. Engravers Printers – View from the Knightsbridge Road of The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park for Grand International Exhibition of 1851. Dedicated to the Royal Commissioners., London: Read Co. Engravers Printers, 1851., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48718934
The first world’s fair was a tremendous success – it launched a series of events that continue to thrive today, just as they did in the mid-1800s. Since the inaugural event in 1851, the success of world’s fairs has remained unbroken, though their character has gradually evolved. Initially, during the industrialization era, the main focus of the events was on commerce and the primary goal was to showcase technological inventions and developments. Inventions like the telephone were presented to the public here, and the expo’s current reputation was established during this time. Over time, the emphasis of the world’s fairs shifted: the expos began to center around specific themes of cultural significance and sought to address contemporary human issues. The dialogue between cultures and the discussion of solutions became a defining element of the exhibitions. Today, participants view world’s fairs as an opportunity for national representation. Nation branding and shaping the image of their country have become as important to the participating countries as cultural dialogue and showcasing innovations. Modern world’s fairs strive to represent all three directions: they present new inventions, facilitate cultural exchange thematically, and provide an opportunity for nations to showcase themselves.
Timeline
1851 – 2025 London – Osaka
Source: Wikipedia
1851
London
Industry of all Nations
1855
Paris
Agriculture, Industry and Arts
1862
London
Industry and Arts
1867
Paris
Agriculture, Industry and Arts
1873
Vienna
Culture and Education
1876
Philadelphia
Arts, Manufactures and Products of the Soil and Mine
1878
Paris
New Technologies
1880
Melbourne
Arts, Manufactures and Agricultural and Industrial Products of all Nations
1888
Barcelona
Fine and Industrial Art
1889
Paris
Celebration of the French Revolution
1893
Chicago
Discovery of America
1900
Paris
19th Century: an overview
1904
Saint Loius
Louisiana Purchase
1906
Milan
Transport
1911
Turin
Exposition of Industry and Labor
1929
Barcelona
Arts, Industry and Sport
1935
Brussels
Transports
1937
Paris
Arts and Technology in modern life
1939
New York
Building The World of Tomorrow
1958
Brussels
A World View: A New Humanism
1964
New York
Man in the Space Age
1967
Montreal
Man and His World
1970
Osaka
Progress and Harmony for Mankind
1985
Tsukuba
Dwellings and Surroundings – Science and Technology for Man at Home
1986
Vancouver
Transportation and Communication: World in Motion – World in Touch
1988
Brisbane
Leisure in the age of Technology
1992
Sevilla
The Era of Discovery
2000
Hanover
Man, Nature, Technology
2005
Aichi
Nature's Wisdom
2010
Shanghai
Better City, Better Life
2015
Milan
Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life
2020
Dubai
Connecting Minds, Creating the Future
2025
Osaka
Designing Future Society for Our Lives
So, events have always offered chances for growth and progress for those who have explored the vast halls of exhibitions with opened eyes. Today’s modern world expositions also seek to provide space for innovations, groundbreaking achievements by nations, and to promote cultural encounters, strengthening economic and diplomatic relations among participants.
Hungary has been an active participant in world expos since 1851. Just two years after the suppression of the 1848-1849 revolution, Hungarian craftsmen were eager to showcase their products. However, the real breakthrough came with the 1900 Paris Expo, where Hungary presented its first completely independent national pavilion, spanning over 10,000 square meters. The installation, reflecting the Art Nouveau movement of the time and based on Hungarian motifs, won the grand prize of the exhibition.
In the more than 170 years since the first world exposition, Hungary has consistently prioritized its representation at these significant events, with our pavilions regularly achieving great international success. We have showcased innovations such as Ábrahám Ganz’s chilled cast iron railway wheel and Ányos Jedlik’s paper-cell batteries. Our excellent Hungarian wines and grains have been a source of pride, and numerous outstanding literary and visual artworks have debuted at these events. Iconic Hungarian brands like Herendi, Zwack, Zsolnay, Pick, Globus, Kristályvíz, and Dreher have also been introduced to the international audience. Additionally, one of the modern era’s remarkable scientific sensations, the Hungarian Gömböc, was displayed at the Shanghai Expo.
