Spanish Pavilion Unveils the Overview of its Pavilion and Activities during EXPO 2005 Aichi

- Sharing the Art of Life: Six Months of Spain in Japan -

Tokyo, 10 November 2004 – SEEI, the official organization of the Spanish government for international expositions, held a press conference at the Embassy of Spain in Tokyo to announce the overview of the Spanish Pavilion at “The 2005 World Exhibition, Japan (EXPO 2005 Aichi)” from 25 March 2005 through 25 September 2005 inat the Aichi prefecture, as well as the activity programs in Japan during the 6 month that will introduce the cultural, traditional, and modern lifestyles of Spain. The Spanish Pavilion launch of its Japanese websitehomepage was also launchedintroduced:
http://www.expoaichi2005.com

Leveraging the 6-month period of EXPO 2005 Aichi, the Spanish Pavilion will seek to demonstrate the Spain of today, one of the European Union's leading countries, displaying a country with a very special quality of life and high cultural wealth, filled with tourism alternatives and a very rich gastronomic tradition. The theme of EXPO 2005 Aichi is “Nature's Wisdom” – in conjunction with the EXPO's sub-theme “Art of Life,” the theme of the Spanish Pavilion is “Sharing the Art of Life.”

ThroughUnder this theme, the modern and innovative Spain of today will be introduced by highlightingthrough the special qualities of life and, the richhigh cultural diversity of Spain and wealth, complementing morediscarding traditional impressions of Spain includingstereotypes and its unique gastronomic heritage and vitalityy as a source of Spanish people's health. Modern Spain also places particular focus onhas been focusing on an effort to science and technology, especially as they relate toin the environmental issues and protection and this will also be highlighted as a common focus between the two countries .

By finding the common denominator between Spanish and Japanese tastes and values, and by creating a fusion between the East and the West, tradition and innovation, Spain aims to strengthen its presence in Japan as well as cultivate mutual understanding between the two countries.

Spain's participation in EXPO 2005 Aichi is a key factor in its relationship with Japan, and it will be the first time that the country has participateds in a universal Expo held in anthe Asian country.

Experiencing 6 Months of Spain in Japan during EXPO 2005 Aichi

<Spanish Pavilion>

The Spanish Pavilion is located in the Global Common 3 inat the Nagakute Area of EXPO 2005 Aichi. The Spanish Pavilion is designed by Alejandro Zaera Polo, the same Spanish architect who designedof the passenger terminal atof Port Yokohama in Japan.

The exterior of the Spanish Pavilion features the “celosia,” which is a typical element of traditional Spanish architecture. The ceramic hexagons utilized for the exterior were made from Spanish clay and shipped to Nagoya. TheseSuch material, “ceramics,” areis another common denominator betweenof the Spanish and Japanese culture.; Aadjacent to the EXPO site is the city of Seto, which is renowned for its ceramic works. Furthermore, the pavilion is surrounded with a perforated translucent wall, creating a space that acts as a transitions between the interior and exterior. – suchThis technique incorporates a traditional Japanese architectural element “mokoshi”, which can be seen at the Horyuji Temple in Nara.

The structure of Spanish Pavilion resembles the design of a cathedral: the 5 exhibition spaces, the “chapels,” are connected with The Plaza, the central “nave.” Fully utilizing 16 large audio screens, The Plaza will introduce the rich nature, history and culture of Spain, as well as technological capacity in the development of new alternative and renewal energy applications. The Plaza will also serve as the space for carrying out numerous events and performances at the pavilion.

The exhibition spaces will introduce Spain usingin 5 different themes: Innovation, Harvest of Paradise, Quixote, Contemporary Heroes, and Fiesta. Innovation replicates Spain's Astrobiology Center, one of the world's leading institutions in the study of the origins of life ion Mars; Harvest of Paradise describes the latest innovations in Spanish agriculture and fishing by utilizing the sculptures of Javier Mariscal, the designer of “Cobi” the official mascot of the Barcelona Olympics in 1992; Quixote is a space dedicated to the universally admired classic on its 4th centennial commemoration; Contemporary Heroes celebrates highly admired Spanish sports figures; and Fiesta will project films regarding Spain's most famous fiestas and theits values behind them.

At the “Tapas Bar”, a part of the Spanish Pavilion, visitors will be able to enjoy traditional and avant-gardethe Spanish meals. “Tapas” meansindicates “small plates” in Spanish, with the concept a similar concept to the Japanese small dishes. A shop featuring famous Spanish Bbrands, such as LOEWE, will be open in the pavilion as well.

<Activities>

During the EXPO 2005 Aichi, the Spanish Pavilion will show reinforcei its presence in Japan by carrying out more thanover 400 events at the pavilion and in various parts of Japan. Spanish Pavilion set the week of July 25 – 31 as the “Spain Week” and will offer various events and activities throughout the week. The Spanish Pavilion will also be hosting Cchildren's Wworkshops, where children will have a space of their own to enjoy themselves as they learn about Spain.

For the cultural events, the Spanish Pavilion will present a number of programs including; for instance, six Exhibitions, featuring famous artists from Spain; a flamenco festival, inviting very well-known flamenco artists, and a guitar festival featuring the opportunity to experienceto session with some of the greatest classical and flamenco guitarists playing in a live ‘jamming” session. There will also be a variety of music concerts, including classical, traditional, fusion and pop-music,; dance,; movies and theater – the best of Spain will be present in Japan during the 6-month period of the Exposition.

The following is an overview of some few of the events and activities:

<Professional Seminars>

  • Congress of Spanish cuisine, The Culinary Vanguard of Spain The congress will take place at the Hattori School, participated by internationally famous Spanish chefs such as Ferran Adría, Carmen Rusacalleda, and others.
  • Spanish in Asia
  • Business Seminars by Spanish and Japanese Companies

<Exhibitions>

  • Nature and Art: Gaudí, Miró, Dalí
  • Design: 300% Desieño Español
  • Architecture: Eurasia Extrema
  • Ceramics: Picasso: Ceramics and Tradition
  • Fashion: Genio Y Figura
  • Photography: Diez Miradas De España

<Flamenco Festival>

  • Performance by Yoko Komatsubara Company
  • Sueños by Sara Baras
  • Lágrimas negras by Chucho Valdés and Diego “El Cigala”

<Guitar Festival>

  • Guitar Concert by Pepe Romero & Tomatito
  • Guitar Concert by José María Gallardo del Rey & Juan Manuel Cañizares

<Classical Music Concerts>

  • Spanish Music Concert by Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Josep Pons
  • Carmen Linares recital
  • Spanish Music in the Golden Age by Jordi Savall

<Movies>

  • The Fourth Spanish Film Festival

Nao Victoria – The Traveling Ambassador of Spain

The Nao Victoria Project, the journey of the replica of Nao Victoria, is one of the key activities on the program for the Spanish Pavilion.: Nao Victoria will repeat its historic trip asof the first shipmankind ever to travel around the world in the 16th century. The ship, originally built for Expo 1992 in Seville, was recently restored for the EXPO 2005 Aichi. Setting sail from Seville on 12 October, Nao Victoria will serves as an ambassador communicating the image of Spain across the world prior to reaching Japan in March 2005. During the EXPO 2005 Aichi, the ship will remain in Japan, traveling around a number of Japanese ports including Osaka, Kobe and Yokohama. Nao Victoria will be open to the public, and visitors will be able to enjoy the ship through a variety of activities. After the EXPO 2005 Aichi, Nao Victoria will return to Spain during Spring 2006 stopping by ports in Shanghai, where the next EXPO will be held in 2010, and other Asian countries.

Animation Film “GISAKU” – A Fusion of Japanese and Spanish Culture

Currently, the Japanese animation is inenjoying vogue in Spain with numerous programs dubbed into Spanish and aired on Spanish television. With the aim ofto introducinge the Spanish culture and finding a common denominators between the two cultures, the Spanish Pavilion and Filmax Group haves jointly begun the production of an animation film. Currently under production, “GISAKU” tells the story of the young Samurai, Yohei, who was a member of the Japanese mission sent to the kingdom of Spain by Sendai-han in the 17th cCentury. Falling under a magic spell, he sleeps for centuries and awakes in modern Spain. Yohei and the other characters have exciting adventures straddling magic and technology, good and evil, fun and danger. Their adventures take them all over modern Spain, where they see the sights and meet people. “GISAKU” is planned to open in local theaters in 2005.

About SEEI

Established for the EXPO in Hanover, the Sociedad Estatal para Exposiciones Internacionales (SEEI) is the official organization for the Spanish government for international exposition. It is responsible for planning and managing the Spanish Pavilion at the EXPO 2005 Aichi, and is currently preparing for Spain's presence in the 2010 Expo in Shanghai, China. SEEI is an approved organization by the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE).

For Further Information Please Contact:

Spanish Pavilion Media Contact
Burson-Marsteller Tokyo
Aki Matsunaga
Satomi Kawashima
Takako Kikugawa
813-3264-6701