Aworld's fair, also known as auniversal exhibition, is a large global exhibition designed to showcase the achievements of nations.[1] These exhibitions vary in character and are held in different parts of the world at a specific site for a period of time, typically between three and six months.[1]
The term "world's fair" is commonly used in the United States,[2] while the French term,Exposition universelle ("universal exhibition"[3]) is used in most of Europe and Asia; other terms includeWorld Expo orSpecialised Expo, with the wordexpo used for various types of exhibitions since at least 1958.
Since the adoption of the 1928 Convention Relating to International Exhibitions, the Paris-basedBureau International des Expositions (BIE) has served as an international sanctioning body for international exhibitions; four types of international exhibition are organised under its auspices: World Expos, Specialised Expos, Horticultural Expos (regulated by theInternational Association of Horticultural Producers), and theMilan Triennial.
Osaka, Japan held the most recent World Expo in2025, whileAstana, Kazakhstan held the most recent Specialised Expoin 2017, andDoha, Qatar held the most recent Horticultural Expoin 2023.[4]
In 1791,Prague organized the first World's Fair inBohemia (modern-dayCzech Republic).[5][6][7] The first industrial exhibition was on the occasion of the coronation ofLeopold II as king ofBohemia. The exhibition was held in theClementinum, and celebrated the considerable sophistication of manufacturing methods in the region during that time period.[8]
The character of world fairs, or expositions, has evolved since. Three eras can be distinguished: the era of industrialization, the era of cultural exchange, and the era of nation branding.[12]
The1939–1940 New York World's Fair, and those that followed, took a different approach, one less focused on technology and aimed more at cultural themes and social progress. For instance, the theme of the 1939 fair was "Building the World of Tomorrow"; at the1964–1965 New York World's Fair, it was "Peace Through Understanding"; at the1967 International and Universal Exposition in Montreal, it was "Man and His World". These fairs encouraged effectiveintercultural communication along with sharing of technological innovation.
The 1967 International and Universal Exposition in Montreal was promoted under the nameExpo 67. Event organizers retired the termworld's fair in favor ofExpo, a term already popular in French language and used as far back as the Brussels World Fair in 1958.[15] TheMontreal Expos, a formerMajor League Baseball team, was named for the 1967 fair.[16]
FromWorld Expo 88 inBrisbane onwards, countries started to use expositions as a platform to improve their national image through their pavilions. Finland, Japan, Canada, France, and Spain are cases in point. A major study by Tjaco Walvis called "Expo 2000 Hanover in Numbers" showed that improvingnational image was the main goal for 73% of the countries participating inExpo 2000.[citation needed] Pavilions became a kind of advertising campaign, and the Expo served as a vehicle for "nation branding". According to branding expertWally Olins, Spain usedExpo '92 and the1992 Summer Olympics inBarcelona in the same year to underscore its new position as a modern and democratic country and to show itself as a prominent member of theEuropean Union and the global community.[citation needed]
AtExpo 2000 Hanover, countries created their own architectural pavilions, investing, on average, €12 million each.[17] Given these costs, governments are sometimes hesitant to participate, because the benefits may not justify the costs. However, while the effects are difficult to measure, an independent study for the Dutch pavilion at Expo 2000 estimated that the pavilion (which cost around €35 million) generated around €350 million of potential revenues for the Dutch economy. It also identified several key success factors for world-exposition pavilions in general.[18]
At present there are two types of international exhibition: World Expos (formally known as International Registered Exhibitions) and Specialised Expos (formally known as International Recognised Exhibitions).[19] World Expos, previously known as universal expositions, are the biggest category events. At World Expos, participants generally build their own pavilions. They are therefore the most extravagant and most expensive expos. Their duration may be between six weeks and six months. Since 1995, the interval between two World Expos has been at least five years. WorldExpo 2015 was held in Milan, Italy, from 1 May to 31 October 2015.
Specialised Expos are smaller in scope and investments and generally shorter in duration; between three weeks and three months. Previously, these Expos were called Special Exhibitions or International Specialized Exhibitions but these terms are no longer used officially. Their total surface area must not exceed 25 hectares (62 acres) and organizers must build pavilions for the participating states, free of rent, charges, taxes and expenses. The largest country pavilions may not exceed 1,000 m2 (1⁄4 acre). Only one Specialised Expo can be held between two World Expos.[20]
An additional two types of international exhibition may be recognized by the BIE: horticultural exhibitions, which are jointBIE and AIPH-sanctioned 'garden' fairs in which participants present gardens and garden pavilions; and the semi-regularMilan Triennial (not always held every third year) art and design exhibition, held inMilan, Italy, with the BIE granting official international exhibition status to 14 editions of the Triennale between 1996 and 2016.[21]
Expo 2000 brickwork, for the World Expo in Hannover, Germany, in 2000
World Expos (formally known as International Registered Exhibitions) encompass universal themes that affect the full gamut of human experience, and international and corporate participants are required to adhere to the theme in their representations. Registered expositions are held every 5 years because they are more expensive as they require total design of pavilion buildings from the ground up. As a result, nations compete for the most outstanding or memorable structure—for example Japan, France, Morocco, and Spain atExpo '92. Sometimes prefabricated structures are used to minimize costs for developing countries, or for countries from a geographical block to share space (i.e. Plaza of the Americas at Seville '92).
In the 21st century the BIE has moved to sanction World Expos every five years; following the numerous expos of the 1980s and 1990s, some see this as a means to cut down potential expenditure by participating nations. The move was also seen by some as an attempt to avoid conflicting with theSummer Olympics. World Expos are restricted to every five years, with Specialized Expos in the in-between years.
Specialized Expos (formally known as International Recognized Exhibitions) are usually united by a precise theme—such as "Future Energy" (Expo 2017Astana), "The Living Ocean and Coast" (Expo 2012Yeosu), or "Leisure in the Age of Technology" (Brisbane,Expo '88). Such themes are more specific than the wider scope of world expositions.
Specialized Expos are usually smaller in scale and cheaper to run for the host committee and participants because the architectural fees are lower and they only have to customize pavilion space provided free of charge from the Organiser, usually with the prefabricated structure already completed. Countries then have the option of "adding" their own colours, design etc. to the outside of the prefabricated structure and filling in the inside with their own content.
The purpose of these exhibitions is to foster cooperation and the sharing of knowledge and solutions between countries, horticultural producers and agricultural industries by addressing the paramount issues of healthy lifestyles, green economies, sustainable living, education and innovation.
Chromolithograph of theEiffel Tower illuminations in 1889The Space Needle and Monorail depicted on this 1962 stamp
Most of the structures are temporary and are dismantled after the fair closes, except for landmark towers. By far the most famous of these is theEiffel Tower, built for theExposition Universelle (1889). Although it is now the most recognized symbol of its host cityParis, there were contemporary critics opposed to its construction, and demands for it to be dismantled after the fair's conclusion.[23]
Other structures that remain from these fairs:
1851 – London:The Crystal Palace, from the first World's Fair in London, designed so that it could be recycled to recoup losses, was such a success that it was moved and intended to be permanent, only to be destroyed by a fire in 1936.[24]
1893 – Chicago: TheMuseum of Science and Industry inChicago is housed in the former Palace of Fine Arts, one of the last remaining buildings of theWorld's Columbian Exposition. In conjunction with the fair, theArt Institute of Chicago building was built to house conferences, as the World's Congress Auxiliary Building. TheGarden of the Phoenix, a remnant of the Japanese pavilion, also survives. The intent or hope was to make all Columbian structures permanent, but most of the structures burned, possibly the result of arson during thePullman Strike. The foundation of the world's firstFerris wheel, which operated at the Exposition, was unearthed on theChicago Midway during a construction project bythe University of Chicago, whose campus now surrounds the Midway. Relocated survivors include the Norway pavilion, a small house now at a museum in Wisconsin, and the Maine State Building, now at the Poland Springs Resort in Maine.
1906 – Milan: TheCivic Aquarium of Milan built for theMilan Exposition is still open after 100 years and was recently renovated. TheInternational Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) was settled in Milan during the fair and had its first congress in the Expo pavilions. In June 2006 the ICOH celebrated the first century of its life in Milan. An elevated railway with trains running at short intervals linked the fair to the city center. It was dismantled in the 1920s.
1909 – Seattle: The landscaping (by the Olmsted brothers) from theAlaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition (AYPE) in Seattle still forms much of theUniversity of Washington campus. The only major building left from the AYPE, Architecture Hall, is used by the university's architecture school.
1915 – San Francisco: ThePalace of Fine Arts inSan Francisco and its adjacent artificial lagoon are the only major remnants of thePanama–Pacific International Exposition still in their original locations on the former fairgrounds (now the city'sMarina District neighborhood), but the building is almost entirely a reconstruction. The plaster-surfaced original, not intended to survive after the fair, was a crumbling ruin in 1964 when all but the steel framework was demolished so that it could be reproduced in concrete. The San Francisco Civic Auditorium, now theBill Graham Civic Auditorium, is another major legacy of the fair but was built off-site in the city'sCivic Center. The independentPanama–California Exposition inSan Diego left a substantial legacy of permanent buildings and other structures which today define its site, San Diego's centralBalboa Park, including the Prado walkway, the California Tower and Dome (now home to theMuseum of Us), the 1,500-foot Cabrillo Bridge, the lily pond and botanical gardens, and theSpreckels Organ Pavilion.[26]
1929 – Seville and Barcelona: much survives from the two simultaneous fairsSpain hosted that year. The most famous are the remnants of theIbero-American Exposition inSeville, in which the Spanish Pavilion'sPlaza de España forms part of a large park and forecourt. Most of that fair's pavilions have survived and been adapted for other uses, with many of them becomingconsulates-general for the countries that built them. TheBarcelona International Exposition featured the famousGerman pavilion designed byMies van der Rohe, which was demolished but later rebuilt on the original site.[27]
1936 – Johannesburg: TheEmpire Exhibition, South Africa was built close to theUniversity of the Witwatersrand, and by the late 1970s the growth of the university was large enough to incorporate the permanent buildings from the exhibition. In 1985, the university purchased the South African Government Building; the two Heavy Machinery Halls, now called Empire Hall and the Dining Hall; the Hall of Transport; the Tower of Light; the Cape Dutch complex; and the Bien Donne Restaurant.
1942 – Rome: A special case is theEUR quarter inRome, built for a World's Fair planned for 1942 but cancelled because ofWorld War II. Today it hosts governmental and private offices, and several museums.
1958 – Brussels: InBrussels, theAtomium still stands at the exposition site. It is a 165-billion-times-enlarged iron-crystal-shaped building. Until June 2012, the "American Theatre" on the Expo grounds was frequently used as a television studio by theVRT.
Seattle – World's Fair sign at 47th and Aurora, 1962
1962 – Seattle: TheSpace Needle theme building of theCentury 21 Exposition commonly known as the Seattle World's Fair still stands as aSeattle icon and landmark. TheSeattle Center Monorail, the other widely known futuristic feature of the fair, still operates daily. The US pavilion became thePacific Science Center. The original exterior and roof of the Washington State Pavilion has been preserved as a landmark, and now is part ofClimate Pledge Arena.
The Unisphere, from the 1964 World's Fair in New York City, in the 21st century
New York Hall of Science, built for the fair, continues to operate as a science museum, similar to its original role
The Port Authority Heliport and Exhibit is now theTerrace on the Park event and catering venue
TheNew York State Pavilion is mostly derelict, but is still an icon, with its observation towers prominently featured in 1997'sMen in Black. The Theaterama building is the only portion still maintained, and is used by theQueens Theater. The Tent of Tomorrow building and observation towers are being restored as of 2019[update].
The New York City Pavilion, a holdover form the1939 fair, continues to serve as the home of theQueens Museum
Other artifacts remain throughout the park, and many buildings were transported for use elsewhere and continue to function.
1970 – Osaka: TheTower of the Sun was left standing, but was neglected after the conclusion of theExpo '70. After restoration to the structure was completed, the museum inside the tower was re-opened on 18 March 2018.[28]
1974 – Spokane:Spokane still has itsRiverfront Park that was created for Expo '74—the park remains a popular and iconic part of Spokane's downtown.
1988 – Brisbane: TheSkyneedle, the symbol tower ofExpo '88 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, still stands. Other survivors are theNepalese Peace Pagoda of the Nepalese representation, now at the transformed World Expo '88 site South Bank Parklands, and the Japan Pond and Garden from the Japanese representation, now at the Brisbane Mount Cooth-tha Botanic Gardens. In 2018 the World Expo 88 Art Trail was re-birthed and dramatically expanded as part of the 30th Anniversary of World expo 88, now forming a Major tourist attraction in its own right.[29]
1992 – Seville: The pavilions ofExpo '92 in Seville had been converted into a technological square and atheme park.
1998 – Lisbon: The main buildings ofExpo '98 inLisbon were completely integrated into the city itself and many of the art exhibition pieces still remain.
2005 – Nagoya: Thehome of Satsuki & Mei Kusakabe, built for the 2005 Expo inAichi, remains operating at its original site in Morikoro Park and is a popular tourist attraction, eventually being incorporated intoGhibli Park in 2022.
2010 – Shanghai: TheChina pavilion fromExpo 2010 in Shanghai, the largest display in the history of the World Expo, is now theChina Art Museum, the largest art museum in Asia.
2015 – Milan: The Italian Pavilion of Expo 2015 remains on the original site.
The Bahrain Pavilion fromExpo 2015 was relocated to Bahrain. The Azerbaijan Pavilion is in that country's capitalBaku. The Chinese Pavilion was brought back toQingdao and is on the site of the 2014 horticultural exhibition.
TheSave the Children Italy pavilion from Expo 2015 was dismantled and re-built as school for Syrian refugee children inLebanon.[33][34]
The BrusselsExpo '58 relocated many pavilions withinBelgium: the pavilion of Jacques Chocolats moved to the town ofDiest to house the new town swimming pool. Another pavilion was relocated toWillebroek and has been used as dance hall Carré[35] ever since. One smaller pavilion still stands on the boulevard towards theAtomium: the restaurant "Salon 58" in the pavilion of Comptoir Tuilier.
Many exhibitions and rides created byWalt Disney and hisWED Enterprises company for the1964 New York World's Fair (which was held over into 1965) were moved toDisneyland after the closing of the Fair. Many of the rides, including "It's a Small World", and "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln", as well as the building that housed theCarousel of Progress are still in operation.[36] The concept of a permanent world's fair came to fruition with the DisneyEpcot theme park at theWalt Disney World Resort, nearOrlando, Florida.[37] Epcot has many characteristics of a typical universal exposition: national pavilions and exhibits concerning technology and/or the future, along with more typical amusement park rides. Meanwhile, several of the 1964 attractions that were relocated to Disneyland have been duplicated at theWalt Disney World Resort.
Occasionally other mementos of the fairs remain. In theNew York City Subway system, signs directing people toFlushing Meadows–Corona Park remain from the 1964–1965 event. In theMontreal Metro subway at least one tile artwork of its theme, "Man and His World", remains. Also, a seemingly endless supply of souvenir items from fair visits can be found, and in the United States, at least, often turn up at garage or estate sales. Many fairs and expos producedpostage stamps and commemorativecoins.
^Walvis, Tjaco, ed. (April 2004). "Three eras of World Expositions: 1851–present".Cosmopolite: Stardust World Expo & National Branding Newsletter (5). Amsterdam: Stardust New Ventures: 1.
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