Opening ceremony of the Expo 2017 Astana Exhibition:” Energizing the Future

　　Guests of honor after launching the exhibition

　　The EXPO 2017 ASTANA EXHIBITION: ENERGIZING THE FUTURE was open at WEM at 9:00 am on December 14, 2018.

　　Opening ceremony

　　The guests of honor included Hong Hao, Chairman of the WEM Council, Vicente G. Loscertales, Secretary General of the BIE,Dimitri Kerkentzes, Deputy Secretary General of the BIE, Nurbek Yergeshbayev, Director of International Cooperation of Expo 2017 Astana national company JSC, Anca Anghel, Director of International Exhibitions of the BIE, Feng Shixiang, Director of the Trade Promotion Department of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Chu Xiaobo, Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Duan Yong, Deputy Secretary of CPC Shanghai University Committee, and Wang Dawei, Acting Dean of Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts of Shanghai University.

　　Liu Xiuhua, Curator of WEM, introducing the exhibition

　　Liu Xiuhua, Curator of WEM, gave a brief introduction to the exhibition. She mentioned that Expo 2017 Astana was a specialized World Expo and its theme was “Future Energy”. WEM participated in the Expo as part of its engagement with the Belt and Road Initiative. Within three months, WEM attracted nearly 420,000 visitors and did a good job in spreading the ideals of World Expo and promoting its own image as the official museum of the BIE. During that period, the Expo participants gave us a strong support in document collection, video recording and interview filming. WEM received nearly 500 exhibits from 46 participants.

　　The Expo 2017 Astana Exhibition will focus on Energy and the Future, as a response to the theme of Expo 2017 Astana and reproduce the wonderful Expo 2017 through creative and innovative exhibits in six exhibition modules. Visitors will be able to experience the wisdom and concept of sustainable energy development.

　　The Expo 2017 Astana Exhibition is a showcase of multi-party cooperation, mutual learning and sharing of resources. In the future, WEM will continue to partner with organizers and participants of World Expos to pass on the spirit of the Expo and expand the Expo effect, create more possibilities for the future development of World Expos.

　　Speech by Nurbek Yergshbayev, Director of International Cooperation of Expo 2017 Astana JSC

　　Nurbeek Yergeshbayev, Director of International Cooperation of Expo 2017 Astana JSC, stated that during 93 days of Expo 2017, the organizer had worked with the BIE towards the common goal: to create a high-quality exhibition and a grand international gathering for countries and cultures. This goal was realized. Astana is indebted to Mr. Loscertales and the entire BIE team for their hard work and valuable help to handle every issue in the Expo organization. At the same time, Mr. Nurbek Yergeshbayev said he would like to thank the entire team of WEM for their great contribution to the exhibition as well.

　　Speech by Anca Anghel, Head of the International Exhibitions of the BIE

　　Anca Anghel, head of International Exhibitions of the BIE, said in her speech that this special exhibition is a fruit of cooperation between the organizer of Expo 2017 Astana and WEM. The exhibition builds on the spirit of cooperation around the Expo theme “Future Energy”, a theme that had united 115 countries and 22 international organizations. The exhibition reinforces the role of Expo 2017 in educating the public, ensuring that all people have safe and reliable access to energy and extending the sustainability principle by sharing values. WEM fully demonstrates its role as an international institution, representing the diversity of World Expo themes and continuing the links established by World Expos.

　　Nurbek Yergeshbayev gave an exhibit model to Liu Xiuhua who gave him a new album of Expo 2017 Astana under the witness of Chairman Hong Hao, Director Feng Yaoxiang and Deputy Director Chu Xiaobo.

　　WEM and Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts entering into a strategic cooperation agreement

　　After the donation ceremony, the World Expo Museum and Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts of Shanghai University signed the Agreement for Strategic Cooperation. Liu Xiuhua and Wang Dawei signed the agreement on behalf of both parties under the witness of Chairman Hong Hao, Director Feng Yaoxiang, Deputy Director Chu Xiaobo, and Deputy Secretary Duan Yong.

　　V. G. Loscertales (Middle) visiting the Expo 2017 Astana Exhibition

　　Guests visiting the Expo 2017 Astana Exhibition

　　Special event

　　Finally, the guests launched the “Energizing the Future” exhibition, posed for photo and took the first view of the exhibition.

　　【Exhibition Information】

　　Expo 2017 Astana Exhibition: Energizing the Future

　　The exhibition will last from December 14, 2018 to March 13, 2019. The World Expo Museum has jointly designed and installed the exhibition with JSC, the national company of Expo 2017 Astana, with the support of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and China International Nuclear Fusion Energy Program Executive Center, Shanghai Municipal People's Government Press Office, and Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts of Shanghai University. In a space of 1,365 square meters and through six exhibition modules, the exhibition will showcase the "energy" theme of Expo 2017 Astana and innovative concepts of new energy. It offers interactive experiences and fulfills the purpose of public education.

　　This special exhibition is based on the focus on Energy and the Future initiated at Expo 2017 Astana. It is divided into “Amazing Astana”,“Theme Demonstration”,“Energy Focus”,“Journey of Light”,“Sweet Memory” and "Energizing the Future". Among them, the “Amazing Astana” module presents a model of Expo 2017 Astana, creating the atmosphere of the Expo with special sound and light effects. The “Theme Demonstration” exhibition area highlights China Pavilion's "Artificial Mini-sun" and International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) model, with an intelligent interactive transparent screen and hoisting LED ball. The "Energy Focus" area displays wind power, electricity, hydro power, solar power, nuclear power, and other energy sources.

　　In addition to traditional forms of exhibitions, the exhibition also offers unique interactive experiences such as “the power of the wind”,“flying over Shanghai”,“spinning bike” and “eye of the future”, adding great fun to the exhibition and creating a total immersive experience for visitors.

　　Humankind, energy, the future: these are tricky and intertwined concepts. Can you imagine what happens when the Antarctic A-68 iceberg is detached from Larsen C? Do you know that when the glaciers in the Arctic Circle gradually melt, the polar bears could hardly find a habitat? Natural gas, coal, oil: will they run out, putting humankind in a fatal crisis of energy exhaustion?

　　The problems that were raised and united the world at Expo 2017 Astana have remained with us after the end of the Expo. The organizer hopes that visitors will engage in discussions about the future energy through an immersive experience and unique and innovative interactions.

　　Expo 2017 Astana elaborated on “Future Energy” in an area of 174 hectares, attracting 115 countries, 22 international organizations, and more than 4 million visitors (including 600,000 foreigners). This exhibition is based on the social, economic and environmental concerns the Expo has aroused and the awareness of sustainable energy use. Through the extensive participation and discussion of institutions, organizations, enterprises and individuals, the exhibition attracts the international community's attention to energy issues, raises awareness of responsibility, and focuses on energy management and its critical impact on human beings and the planet.

　　The Expo 2017 Astana Exhibition is not only a review and reproduction of Expo 2017 Astana, but also elaborates on the theme of the Expo and expands its focus on energy and the future. Those who have not been to Astana will be able to see the wonderful events of Expo 2017 Astana and those who have been there can relive the good time they had. This exhibition will extend the Expo effect and stimulate individuals to think about the energy future. Through this exhibition, WEM also provides a new solution for all Expo organizers to use the Expo legacies and expand the Expo effect.

　　Highlights of exhibition

　　Artificial Mini-sun

　　As one of the most desirable clean energy sources for human beings, nuclear energy has three characteristics: unlimited fuel resources, safety, and no leftover of highly radioactive materials. Nuclear energy does not only impact the dream of China, but also the dream of all mankind.

　　China's nuclear energy development and the ITER plan is the highlight of China Pavilion at Expo 2017 Astana. It starts with the ITER model and then the cartoon mascots tell China's story of nuclear energy development, branding China as a responsible country in nuclear development. It shows China's determination to use nuclear energy in a peaceful and sustainable way.

　　Spinning Bike - Energy Transfer

　　Partnerships are key to address future global energy issues.

　　We can use the power of our thought, soul, and energy to make differences to the future. Working together, we can create miracles. The television in front of us is powered by collectively generated energy. Make the best of the energy in your body!

　　Energy Seesaw

　　A slight movement of the seesaw, even in water, can produce electricity. Come and try it!

　　Interactive Exhibition - The Power of Wind

　　Pick a paper airplane on the touch screen and think how it can fly over the city in the wind. You are the future energy!