Expo 2005 - Aichi, Japan

EXPO2005 Aichi Japan Expo 2005, celebrating 'Natures Wisdom', is taking place at Aichi, Japan from 25 March to 25 September 2005.

The Golden Pavilion, Rokuon-ji temple

Minister of State Tom Parlon, T.D. with members of Bru Boru at Expo 2005

Over 15 million people are expected to attend, visiting the pavilions of 122 national participants and a range of Japanese corporate representations.

Irelands participation is being led by

century. The replicas were made in

the Department of the Taoiseach.

the late 19th / early 20th century and

OPW was asked by the Department

had to be rebuilt and repaired for

to manage the construction and fit-

display in Japan. The rich imagery

out aspects of the project.

on the crosses provided the inspiration for a multimedia exhibition

The Japanese Government has

in the Pavilion that presents a 5,000

funded the provision of services at

year continuum of Irish creativity.

the Expo site and the Pavilions for participating countries. Each

The Crosses were repaired and

participant then prepares and funds

restored at the national Museum in

its own exhibition.

Collins Barracks. They were shipped to Japan in 27 crates and

The centrepiece of the Ireland

reassembled in the Pavilion by OPW

Pavilion is a selection of six replicas

and National Museum staff. OPW

of High Crosses on loan from the

and the Museum are particularly

National Museum. The original

pleased that the Crosses have been

crosses date from the 6th - 12th

repaired and rebuilt in such a way

OBAIR 15

The Kiyomimzu temple

presents replicas of other Irish

media will focus on that country.

treasures such as the Cross of Cong,

Ireland had its National Day on

and the Book of Kells which are

31March. Minister for European

contrasted with contemporary Irish

Affairs, Mr. Noel Treacy, TD, attended

painting, sculpture, architecture, craft,

as special representative on the

fashion, literature, theatre, film and

occasion. The programme for the

music.

Day includes a number of performances by Bru-Boru, the

Minister of State Tom Parlon, T.D. addressing visitors to the Irish Pavilion

that they can be returned to the National Museum in Ireland when Expo closes.

The crates that were used to ship the Crosses to Japan (and will be used again for the return journey) were made from timber salvaged from other OPW projects.

As well as the Crosses the Pavilion

OBAIR 16

An audio-visual space presents a

traditional music and dance group

range of important Irish environmental

from Cashel, Co. Tipperary and an

initiatives.

evening reception hosted by Minister Treacy.

All aspects of the construction have been co-ordinated and directed by

The Department of the Taoiseach set

the OPW. The exhibition was

a budget of 4m for EXPO 2005.

designed and prepared by Martello

This includes the design, construction

Media, Sandycove, Co. Dublin.

and maintenance of the exhibition, staff costs in the Irish Pavilion up to

Construction of the exhibition was by

end of September 2005, and funding

Asatsu-DK Inc, Japan.

of the cultural programme throughout the Expo operational period.

During the course of the Exposition, each country is allocated a National Day on which the Expo site and

Jim Blighe Project Management Services