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Israel pavilion highlights innovation

By Wu Nanlan and Susan Tart: 0 Comments Print E-mail China.org.cn, April 30, 2010

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At the Shanghai 2010 World Expo, Israel will showcase a modern Israel where high technology is utilized to make people's life better. Designed by Haim Dotan, a pioneering Israeli architect, in collaboration with designer Prosper Amir, Israel Pavilion will spread the message of "Innovation for Better Life."

The pavilion is divided into three parts: the Whispering Garden, the Hall of Light and the Hall of Innovations. Entering the building, visitors first see the garden, which is an orange tree orchard.

"We chose orange trees because they are typical fruit in Israel," said Amir Laty, deputy consul general of Israel for the Expo.

The building itself is composed of the two halls. The Hall of Light is made of transparent PVC material and glass, symbolizing technology, transparency, lightness and the future, while the Hall of Innovation is made from stone to symbolize the connections with the Earth and history, Laty said.

The Hall of Innovation, the centerpiece of the pavilion, has special audio-visual shows that allow visitors to "talk" to Israeli children, scientists, doctors and inventors via hundreds of screens. They will introduce themselves and share their hopes for a better future for mankind through technologies in fields such as medicine, energy, water purification and desalination.

Israel has a diversified, technologically advanced economy and a strong high-tech sector. It also is a world leader in software development, comprising a major part of its industrial production and exports. Many top software companies set up research centers in Israel.

It was the first time that Israel had built its own pavilion, with the government allocating a budget of US$12 million for the project. Laty said Israel hopes to boost cooperation with China through the event.