SERBIA PROMOTES EXPO 2027 AT SHANGHAI TRADE FAIR

SHANGHAI, NOVEMBER 6 /SRNA/ – Serbia is showcasing two pavilions at the Ninth China International Import Expo in Shanghai, promoting local food products as well as the Specialised Expo 2027, which will be held in Belgrade next year, said Danijel Nikolić, chief representative of the Belgrade-based Belt and Road Institute in the Chinese city of Xiamen.

Nikolić stressed that this is Serbia's ninth participation in the expo, having attended every edition since its launch, except during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Economic Pavilion, organised by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and the Development Agency of Serbia, features 13 exhibitors showcasing food products, wine, rakija and dried plums, while the National Pavilion is dedicated to promoting Expo 2027.

Nikolić said that the inspiration for the national exhibition came from post office boxes, a symbol of traditional communication and the exchange of letters over long distances.

"Through our pavilion, we would like to awaken the child in each of us and remind visitors why play is important – because without play, there can be no science, business, art, culture or sport," Nikolić said, inviting visitors to come to Belgrade from May 15 next year and discover the theme "Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All".

Speaking about the interest shown by Chinese visitors, Nikolić said that the Serbian pavilion was attracting considerable attention, highlighting its distinctive concept, which sets it apart from other exhibitions in Hall 5.

Architect Jakša Nikodijević said that the aim was to offer visitors an experience rather than merely a visual impression of the space.

Specialised software called "Expo Play" was developed for the pavilion and adapted to the Chinese market, enabling visitors to discover their own "play personality".

"We did not approach this project solely as designers and architects; we wanted to offer people an experience. We are not thinking only about what people see, but also about what they do, what they smell and what they take away," Nikodijević explained.

Nikodijević emphasised that the software adds value to the physical space of the pavilion by providing visitors with nonmaterial experience they can take home as a lasting memory.