Crown Prince Haakon of Norway today opened the celebrations for Norway’s National Pavilion Day at the Expo Center, featuring music by the Trondheim soloists.
Haakon said the Pavilion Day of Norway is an opportunity to promote and strengthen the fruitful relations between China and Norway. “Norway and China have much to learn from each other and the scope of our cooperation is expanding,” he noted.
Norway will use Expo as a showcase for shared knowledge and technology within the fields of marine and maritime products, shipping, oil technology and renewable energy, he said, adding that the Norwegian Pavilion not only represents innovative architecture, but also introduces sustainable use of wood.
Vice Commerce Minister Zhong Shan said China and Norway have witnessed frequent exchange and fruitful cooperation over the years and the Expo would further strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation.
There will be a gala tonight at the Expo Center to celebrate the occasion.
Performers include Irish-Norwegian duo Secret Garden, the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Trondheim soloists and Eldbjorg Hemsing and the Norwegian traditional dance group Frikar.
It will include a composition by Chinese composer Tan Dun, known for his innovative works using paper, water, stones and natural materials as well as traditional Chinese musical instruments.
The natural element music is in keeping with the pavilion’s theme, “Norway, Powered by Nature.”
The pavilion is a light, airy solar-powered landscape consisting of 15 independently functioning “trees.”
It makes extensive use of laminated timber with abstract arms and roots, each tree part of a forest and supporting a peaked white canopy of fabric. Chinese bamboo is planted outside.
The solar-powered building reminds visitors of a harmonious balance between nature and urban life and the exhibits emphasize sustainable social development.
When night falls, fantastic northern lights shows are staged on the roof, and visitors can enjoy special concerts against the backdrop of lights from the Arctic circle.
