New Russia remakes image

An artist's rendition of the Russia pavilion [China Daily]

SHANGHAI - The concept of Russia's Expo pavilion may not be as wacky as Alice in Wonderland, but it will be no less appealing to both children and adults.

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The pavilion's centerpiece, "Talent City", features houses made of fruit that use dragonflies to transform into windmills, and there will be 13 child actors from the dance and ensemble group Domisolka showing off their country's latest scientific inventions while wearing fantastic suits.

This showpiece was inspired by the late Nikolay Nosov, Russia's favorite children's author. Instead of Nosov's mischievous young anti-hero Neznaika (Russian for "know-nothing"), guests will have virtual guide Xue Xue (Chinese for "study") to show them the way. The light-hearted animation will appear on a giant transparent prism with 12 faces holding a "Crystal of Knowledge".

"Talent City is a dream city, a wonderful park for children and grown-ups. This good hearted and amusing children's world will bring the warmth, coziness and charm of childhood to Shanghai," said Boris Krasnov, the pavilion's art director.

On International Children's Day, on June 1, the event "Children 2030" will encourage visitors to debate and solve nagging urban problems. Tech wizards will then transform their ideas onto 3D screens.

"One of our goals is to showcase the new Russia. Many people say that Russia is a closed country that keeps its secrets," said Vladimir Strashko, commissioner general of the Russian Federation at Expo 2010.

"On the contrary, we would like to demonstrate that it is open and friendly and is making advances for the whole world."

Russia also hopes to show off some of its amazing technological advances, especially those that promise to revolutionize the lives of people with disabilities.

These include "nano-links", a special communications system in which orders for managing different tasks are directed from the brain and achieved without any physical action, a "clothes-simulator" for children with musculoskeletal system malfunctions, and "biological skin".

"The pavilions will be filled with scientific sensations. These developments - some of which are a real salvation for the disabled - previously found their reflections only in the works of science fiction writers," said Alina Suslova of Russia's Expo team.

At $36 million, the 6,000-square-meter pavilion marks a significant investment by Russia in its first standalone structure at a World Expo in 20 years.

It is shielded by 12 white towers in a deliberate homage to the skyscrapers of Shanghai. Each will be decorated with Russian ornaments to remind people of the need to respect the past when building the future.

"It is important to build a future based on knowledge of culture and traditions," said Russia's Minister of Industry and Trade, Viktor Khristenko. "Therefore, our pavilion looks like a traditional concept of significant elements of Russian lifestyle and culture."

Flagship days for the pavilion are: May 1; June 12, when Russia celebrates its independence; August 22, its designated Flag Day; and September 28, its National Day at Expo.