Pavilions at the Expo

Pavilions across the South

30 Mar 2015 | From Mo of China

POSTCROSSING FRIEND

India Pavilion; Qatar PAvilion; Oman Pavilion; Pakistan Pavilion (main picture)

In architecture, a pavilion has two primary meanings. It can refer to a free-standing structure sited a short distance from a main residence, whose architecture makes it an object of pleasure; or a symmetrical range of buildings in the classical styles, where there is a main central block.

Pavilions were particularly popular in the 18th century and can be equated to the Italian casina, usually rendered in English "casino". These often resembled small classical temples and follies. The postcard shows some pavilions across South and Southwest Asia - from India, Oman, Pakistan, and Qatar - as showcased in the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China.

The theme of the exposition was "Better City – Better Life" and signifies Shanghai's new status in the 21st century as the "next great world city". There were five central theme pavilions at the Expo 2010, exploring different aspects of urban development. They were called Urban Footprints, Urban Planet, Urbanian, City Being, and Urban Future. During the expo, the expo site was crowded with national pavilions, sculpture gardens, shops, a sports arena and clam-shaped performing arts centre.

The other postcard was printed by Mo himself =)