Expo 88.. .The Island Way
pp. 16-17 · Read in the full issue
Australia
Spectacular island displays will star at Expo.
By Larry Writer
TRUE TO the spirit of Australia’s SA6OO million World Expo 88, the laser-lit, glitziest, most costly world fair ever, Pacific nations will show off their wares around an articifial tropical lagoon complete with island outriggers and 200 newly planted palm trees. Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Western Samoa and Vanuatu will all have their displays by the 0.6 hectare, 1 metre deep lagoon that will be stocked with fish and sailing craft. The palm trees, as well as coral grit for the pathways connecting the exhibits, have been brought from the islands. A South Seas restaurant offering such fare as Shrimp Louie Salad and Chicken Adobe will satisfy what is hoped will be hordes of hungry visitors keen for some island am bience. World Expo 88 opens on April 30 in Brisbane and will run for six months.
Said Sir Llew Edwards, chairman of Expo 88: “Expo will give the Pacific is lands a chance to promote themselves to
the world in a Pacific island environ ment.” In addition to the lagoon, this en vironment will feature a Samoan oval fate (island house), traditional dancing groups, hand carving demonstrations, war can oes, a Fijian meeting house and musical performances.
There will also be business conference facilities where Pacific governments and companies will put their products on dis play, promote trade and tourism in their region and enhance diplomatic relations with other nations.
Sir Llew told Pacific Islands Monthly that Expo 88 organisers had made Aus tralia’s Pacific neighbours a top priority.
“We have extended invitations to island royalty, prime ministers and politicians, as well as leaders in business and tourism.
The response has been excellent and we hope to see such influential figures as King Tupou, Mr Wingti, Mr Somare, Sir Julius Chan, Ratu Mara, Mr Robati and Father Walter Lini in attendence. There will be
many islanders among the expected 750,000 overseas visitors as well.
“We have given the island nations SA2- $ A 3 million to help ensure that island cul ture, trade and tourism opportunities are effectively presented,” said Sir Llew.
The theme of Expo 88 is “Leisure In The Age Of Technology”. Said the chair man: “We all live in the age of technology
lb p; The Expo monorail. Above: The South Pacific! a goon.
but it is not all new technology. The tra ditional technology of the island people such as constructing grass huts that can withstand cyclones, rain and heat is something that we can all learn from to day. So we have invited island craftsmen to Expo to display their skills by building huts and other artifacts on site. Some items will be for sale. Each country will be al lowed to sell five products representative of its lifestyle.”
Sir Llew said that the theme of Expo was particularly relevant to the islands.
“Leisure is a concept of universal under standing with no cultural or socio-eco nomic barriers. The Pacific nations will be united with countries from all over the world to highlight the way technology has changed and is continuing to change our lives and our pursuit of leisure.”
The World Expo 88 will be set on 16 hectares on the south bank of the Brisbane River, near the Queensland capital. The seven Pacific nations attending will be
among the 50 countries taking part. Many countries will stage a “national day” cel ebration with traditional costumes, music and food. Pacific region countries’ na tional days are: Vanuatu August 24; Sol omon Islands August 30; Western Samoa September 3; Fiji September 6; Tonga September 10; Papua New Guinea September 16.
Throughout Expo, patrons will be en tertained with classical music, opera, folk and rock music, theatre, vaudeville, sport ing exhibitions as well as traditional eth nic entertainment. Acts already signed include Johnny Cash, James Taylor, John Farnham, INXS, Ladysmith Black Mam bazo, Jimmy Barnes, the English Shake speare Company, the Australian Opera, Monterey Jazz Festival musicians, Roger Woodward, Philip Glass, Robert Wilson and Michael Lemieux. Laser beams will illuminate the skyline during the shows.
The symbol of Expo 88 is the series of
massive tension membrane canopies called sun sails that provide shade and shelter. A SAI2 million electric monorail will whiz patrons on a 2.3 kilometre loop of the site.
Each Pacific nation will be responsible for fitting out and staffing its area. Papua New Guinea needed a larger pavilion than other island nations for its displays; PNG Consulate spokesman John Hunter told Pacific Islands Monthly that his country was pulling out all slops to make a good showing at Expo 88. “Our Government sees Expo as an excellent opportunity to show the world what we can do. Sir Julius Chan, the Trade and Industry Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, has been deeply involved in our exhibition. The Government has contributed K 500,000 to present dancers, entertainers, craftspeo ple, and to display our agricultural prod ucts such as fish and coffee. We will also have a superb audiovisual show.” □
Top: Expo site takes shape. Above: island lagoon architecture.