Spain Unveils Ocean-themed Pavilion for 2025 Expo; Motif Stresses ‘Common Element’ Between Spain, Japan

By Akiko Inoue / Japan News Staff Writer

15:09 JST, May 10, 2024

Spain’s pavilion for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo will be ocean themed, with exhibits related to the marine economy and environment and maritime history, it was revealed Thursday by the Spanish Embassy in Tokyo.

“The sea is the common element that connects Japan and Spain,” a project manager said. “We hope to convey Spanish values through the pavilion experience.”

The three-story wooden structure will cover an area of 3,500 square meters, or 10 plots of exhibition space, and be adjacent to the Grand Roof, or Ring, the Expo’s centerpiece structure.

The pavilion will feature a motif of the sun and sea, which has been closely tied to the economy and culture of Spain. In addition to the exhibition spaces, there will be a restaurant various Spanish dishes.

At the exhibits, visitors can learn about Spain’s marine ecosystem and its conservation policies, historical artifacts found on the sea floor, and the history of shipping, as well as the country’s renewable energy projects and efforts to reduce carbon emissions at ports. The information will be presented in part through audio and video installations, including visual art pieces.

Construction costs could run around €26 million. After the Expo ends, the building materials for the pavilion can be reused, thanks to the structure’s simple design.

Work is scheduled to start in the next few weeks.