Yemen To Participate in EXPO 2000, The First and The Biggest Ever Exposition in the Third Millennium [Archives:2000/06/Culture]

Tawfeek Al-Shara’abi,
Yemen Times
A press conference on World Exposition in Germany (EXPO 2000) was held last Wednesday in Taj Sheba Hotel. A German delegation to Yemen headed by Dr. Herbert Schmalstieg, the mayor of Hannover came to Yemen to hold talks with the Yemeni side about the Yemeni pavilion in the fair. The press conference was attended by Georg Sewig, deputy chief of Protocol, Matthias Kiesler, deputy head of Mission and Dr. Marwan Rifai and a good number from the media people.
The press conference began with an address by Dr. Herbert Schmalstieg who highly appreciated the hearty and warm welcome he received on his first ever visit to Yemen. He has said the purpose of his visit is to call for the international exposition 2000 taking place in Hannover, the capital of the state of lower Saxony, Germany. The exposition will be the first great meeting point for human kind in the new millennium. Around 177 countries from all over the world will participate in this great gathering in the new millennium.”

“The exposition will held on an area of 100,000 square meters. We expect 40 million visitors to come to Hannover during the exhibition opening period lasting from June 1st to October 31st 2000. Under Key theme “Human kind, Nature, Technology a new world arising” EXPO 2000 will demonstrate how the global community can tackle the major challenges of the future and will seek to find answers to the challenges that are facing humanity in the new millennium in a way that is both vital and entertaining.” he added.

He went on to say “Rough preliminary statistics show that 10% of the visitors will visit the different exposition fairs. This means that about 4 million visitors will come to see and visit the Yemen Fair which will certainly benefit Yemen much. This exposition is a splendid chance for Yemen, because you will be able to introduce yourself to the world; You will introduce a microcosm of Yemen in terms of the traditional village that is going to be established so that visitors will savor the delights of Yemen’s architecture, the wedding ceremonies, folklore, costumes ….etc. When these visitors see all this magnificence there, it is certain that they will be enchanted much to visit Yemen on reality. Yemen has been granted a special place for establishing its fair. This exposition will also enhance and strengthen the amicable and strong relations between Yemen and Germany lasting for 30 years.”Mr. Herbert also talked about procedures that are going to be conducted to make the Yemeni fair continue after the exposition is over.

Then, Mr. George Sewig made a briefed speech on the exposition and the different activities that are going to be held in it. Speaking about the benefit of this exhibition to Yemen he said “Yemen can launch a big propagandist campaign to show the world the deep-rooted civilization and great tradition Yemen possesses. The exposition will give Yemen a good chance to start business opportunities as well as attract investors from Europe and all over the world. The Yemeni Fair has been granted DM1,5 million as an aid to establish its fair in a way that magnificently matches an old traditional village.
There will be around 18,000 parties that are going to be organized during the 135 days of the exposition.
Mr. Sewig told Yemen Times that the theme of the exposition was one of the main reasons behind choosing Germany for hosting this EXPO 2000. The exposition will demonstrate how technical progress can serve goals. It is intended to demonstrate how mankind can use technology to serve humanity and to create a new harmony with nature.”
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