Bulgaria Presents Ethnographic, Archaeological and Modern Heritage at Expo 2010 in Shanghai

Bulgaria Presents Ethnographic, Archaeological and Modern Heritage at Expo 2010 in Shanghai

Over 204,000 people visited the World Expo in Shangai during its opening day, where Bulgaria is one of the presented countries.

The event, which is said to be twice the size of Monaco and more expensive than the Beijing Olympics, started on May 1 and will continue until October 31.

Bulgaria’s participation, under the theme of “City of Shared Heritage,” is organised and realised by the Plovdiv International Fair and presents different aspects of Bulgarian culture and heritage.

“The image of the ancient and yet modern country is depicted by linking past civilizations to present urban environment,” according to the Expo 2010 official website. “Inside the pavilion there are two streets and a square, to showcase the transformation of the urban space during different cultural epochs. Various exhibits here offer visitors a journey through the cultural history of Bulgaria.”

The atmosphere of the Lyutova House, dating to the Revival Period, is recreated through 44 authentic objects from that time brought from the Ethnographic Museum in Plovdiv.

Another focus of the Bulgarian Pavillion at Expo 2010 is Antiquity, shown through Thracian and Roman archaeological finds. Some of the exhibited artefacts in that zone include the golden mask of the of the Thracian king Teres, the helmet of the ruler Seut III, a golden wreath, a golden wine glass and other artefacts from the museum in Kaanlak, as well as moscais from the ancient Roman villa Armira and a frieze of the gods from the ancient city of Philippopolis, present-day Plovdiv.

From the square in front of the Lyutova House, a corridor leads to the exit, where films about Bulgaria’s contemporary architecture are being screened.

The World Expo in Shanghai is expected to attract at least 70 million visitors - almost all of them Chinese – who will visit pavilions and exhibitions staged by more than 240 countries and organisations from around the world.

The Bulgarian Pavillion was seen by around 1,000 people per hour on the day of its trail opening on April 25.