Theme

The overall theme for the World Expo in Shanghai was Better City – Better Life and was about sustainable urban development. A current issue during these times, when more than half of the world’s population live in cities.

In line with the overall theme, all participating countries were free to decide their own theme which was more in line with each country’s own situation. For the Swedish participation the ambition was to have a sustainable profile and to emphasize climate and environmental issues. Swedish solutions for sustainability and environmental development were to be showcased in order to present Sweden as being cutting edge within these areas.

Three key words for the Swedish participation were formulated; innovation, sustainability and communication. On the basis of these words and in collaboration with different partners, the Swedish theme, Spirit of Innovation, was created. The theme was chosen to express the Swedish innovative spirit.

Inauguration of the SymbioCity Forum. Photo: Paul Philip Abrigo

During the Expo’s six months of operation the theme Spirit of Innovation became a highly vivid and dynamic part of the Swedish participation and played an important part in all activities. The Spirit of Innovation Forum was the first high-level forum to be executed, and after this three more forums of the same dignity followed. All forums had different main topics, but they all shared the same core; innovation.

Videographer Petter Eldin interviews two of the contestants in the ”72 hour race to innovation”. Photo: Tobias Andersson Åkerblom

A variety of innovative activities were arranged at the Innovation Stage in the exhibition. The competition “72 Hours Innovation Race” was one of them and DreamHack was another. The famous and much talked about Virtual Autopsy Table was also showcased here.

Swedish yo-yo champion Rasmus Wurm shows his skills in juggling. Photo: Tobias Andersson Åkerblom

The Swedish cultural performances that took place several times a day in the entry hall also reflected the Swedish innovative spirit. This cultural programme, called Street by Sweden, included a wide range of artists with different talents who conducted performances. To create curiosity and buzz the acts were changed frequently. Among other things, the artists showed their skills within for example rope artistry, street dancing, juggling, yo-yo, jazz music, hip-hop, acrobatics, theater and classical music, everything mixed together with a large dose of humor.

”Spirit of Innovation” was the main message communicated about Sweden in China, and this theme will live on in the future and be taken care of by stakeholders within the Sino-Swedish collaboration.