Osaka: The Kuwaiti pavilion at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka has been drawing significant attention, with long queues forming daily since its opening last month.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the pavilion, named "Visionary Lighthouse," offers a vibrant fusion of heritage and modernity, symbolizing Kuwait's balance of tradition and progress while promoting culture as a bridge for global dialogue and mutual understanding.
Visitors have expressed their enthusiasm for the pavilion's interactive experiences. Two women in their 20s, queuing up in front of the pavilion, mentioned they were inspired to visit after watching a video on social media showcasing visitors interacting with sand inside the pavilion. Young parents with a son shared their enjoyment of the planetarium, stating that it felt as if they were lying down in the desert and expressed a desire to return.
The pavilion spans two floors, guiding visitors through Kuwait's past, present, and future across four exhibition halls. One floor emphasizes heritage, while the other showcases the nation's aspirations and innovations. The intersection between the two floors, named "The Pearl," pays tribute to the historical role of pearl diving in Kuwait's economy and maritime legacy. Each section of the pavilion presents a unique story, enhanced by interactive elements and advanced artificial intelligence technologies.
A highlight of the pavilion was a musical performance by the Kuwaiti folklore troupe, held on Friday evening to mark the visit of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Five women in their 60s praised the performance, noting that Kuwaiti music offered a sense of familiarity, even though they previously knew little about Kuwait.
In a statement to Kuwait News Agency on Friday, Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi emphasized that the pavilion is designed to reflect creativity and innovation, featuring rich content showcasing Kuwait's heritage while looking toward the future. He also highlighted the Ministry's strategy for 2021-2026, which aims to strengthen Kuwait's identity and promote its values globally.
The 2025 World Expo in Osaka officially opened to the public on April 13 and will run until October 13, featuring 158 countries and regions, along with seven international organizations. Under the theme "Designing Future Society for our Lives," participants display their cultures and technologies at the six-month event on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay, western Japan.
According to the Japan Association, about 28.2 million people are expected to visit the Expo. Kuwait was also one of only four Arab countries that participated in Expo 1970 in Osaka, the first of its kind in the country, which drew more than 64 million visitors.