Arab News Japan

OSAKA: The Kingdom of Bahrain held a groundbreaking ceremony for its national pavilion at “Expo Osaka 2025,” which will be held in the Osaka-Kansai region of Japan from April 13 to October 13, 2025, under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” 

The official ceremony took place at the pavilion’s construction site, attended by Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and Commissioner-General of the Kingdom’s pavilion at the Expo, along with Bahrain’s Ambassador to Japan Ahmed Mohammed Al Doseri, and several Expo Osaka officials and the pavilions contracting company Magara as well as representatives from the consultant’s team.

“We have taken a significant and important step towards our participation in this international event. We are honored to take on the responsibility of showcasing the Kingdom at the Expo, and we will ensure that this opportunity highlights our culture, creativity, and ability to address global challenges with our national spirit of innovation,” Sheikh Khalifa stated at the ceremony.

He highlighted the crucial role of teamwork and coordination among the different entities within the Bahrain team in ensuring the success of this participation, and praised the cooperation shown by the Expo organizers, reflecting Japan’s interest and keenness to make this edition of the Expo one of the best.

“Bahrain’s participation in the Expo is a testament to its commitment to fostering meaningful cultural exchanges and enhancing its reputation as a hub of innovation and sustainability on the global stage,” Sheikh Khalifa said. “The Kingdom eagerly anticipates completing its pavilion on schedule, opening it to visitors, and showcasing the rich diversity of its culture along with its achievements in various fields.

Bahrain’s pavilion, a unique architectural marvel, is in the “Empowering Lives” area facing the sea. Designed by the renowned Lebanese French architect Lina Ghotmeh, the pavilion covers an area of 995 square meters and consists of four floors with a total height of 13.7 meters.

The design, a product of Ghotmeh’s Paris-based studio Lina Ghotmeh – Architecture, is a tribute to Bahrain’s rich history of traditional boats and its deep relationship with the sea. It draws inspiration from Bahrain’s maritime heritage and Japanese woodwork traditions, evoking images of ancient ships that once sailed along the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.

The pavilion, a symbol of Bahrain’s commitment to sustainability, is entirely made of wood with an outer aluminum structure. This design, inspired by traditional Bahraini crafts and Japanese craftsmanship, aligns with the Kingdom’s vision to promote sustainability. After the Expo, the pavilion will be fully recycled, leaving a minimal environmental footprint.

The pavilion also benefits from its proximity to the sea for cooling and ventilation, incorporating a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional cooling methods to minimize reliance on mechanical cooling systems. The interior design and exhibition, led by the Bahraini design studio Shepherd Studio, promises an immersive experience for visitors.

The exhibition will highlight Bahrain’s rich maritime, logistical, and natural resources, offering a unique insight into the Kingdom’s culture and values. Additionally, Bahrain’s participation in the Expo will include a dedicated business space to promote Bahrain’s competitiveness regionally and globally as a forward-looking economy, investment, and business destination for visitors worldwide. 

The Expo 2025 Osaka has three sub-themes: “Saving Lives,” “Empowering Lives,” and “Connecting Lives.” Organizers expect over 28 million visitors to explore contributions from around 150 countries. The Expo will feature various events, providing opportunities for people to connect and exchange knowledge for the betterment of humanity. Each pavilion will have the opportunity to designate a national day during the Expo to celebrate its culture and values.