Serbian Pavilion Opened at EXPO 2025 in Osaka

With a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Serbian Pavilion was officially opened today at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka. Titled “Society of Play”, the pavilion showcases an innovative architectural structure made of sustainable eco-materials.

Žarko Malinović, Serbia’s Commissioner General for EXPO 2025, emphasized that the Republic of Serbia has opened its pavilion on time for visitors at the global exhibition in Osaka. He stated that the pavilion will serve as a bridge connecting the two EXPOs — Osaka and Belgrade.

“As you can see, there is great interest in our pavilion,” Malinović told reporters.

He pointed out that Serbia’s pavilion is the only one at EXPO featuring a vertical, living garden, making it the greenest pavilion at the event.

Serbia is also the only Western Balkan country with its own independent pavilion.

“This sends a clear message — that Serbia is just as capable as the world’s most developed countries to compete in the top league. We believe that more than a million people will visit our pavilion over the next six months and will enjoy and play with us, because play is a human superpower that will make society more resilient to the challenges ahead. That is the core theme of the Osaka EXPO,” said Malinović.

Architect Jakša Nikodijević told journalists that the team behind the pavilion is proud to have delivered the only living facade at the exhibition. He noted that 95% of the structure is recyclable, and over 80% of the materials can be reused in construction.

“This meets some of the standards of EXPO Osaka 2025’s ‘Design for Future Society’, where sustainability is a key pillar,” Nikodijević explained. He added that architects from Italy, Belgium, and the Far East also participated in the pavilion’s development.

He also mentioned that the theme of EXPO 2027 in Belgrade — “Play for Humanity” — inspired the concept.

“Our goal was to use landscape furniture to create features that invite people to engage in sports activities and to design areas resembling large playground zones,” Nikodijević said.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, and in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, the pavilion will host thematic weeks where Serbian businesses will have the opportunity to present their products and ideas.

The pavilion, covering 930 square meters, is undoubtedly one of the greenest at the EXPO.

Its shape is reminiscent of the Great War Island in Belgrade, symbolizing the preservation of untouched nature within an urban environment.

The EXPO 2025 Osaka will be held from April 13 to October 13, 2025, in Osaka, Japan. At its National Pavilion, Serbia will present itself as a promising business destination, promoting domestic companies’ products with the potential to enter the Japanese and other international markets.

The exhibition is being held under the slogan:
“Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, With high expectations that this EXPO in Japan will surprise the world with its innovations.

Source: Tanjug
Photo: Dragan Kujundžić