World's Fair

World's Fair is the generic name for various large expositions held since the mid 19th century. The official sanctioning body is the Bureau of International Expositions (usually abbreviated BIE, from the organization's name in French, Bureau International des Expositions).

Universal expositions

Universal Expositions encompass universal themes that affect the full gamut of human experience, usually at a unique period of time for mankind.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

These Universal Expos usually have themes based on which pavilions are made to represent the country's opinion on that theme. The theme for the Expo at Lisbon (1998) was "water" and the theme for the 2005 Expo in Japan was "nature's wisdom".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Universal expositions are usually held less frequently than specialized or international expositions because they are more expensive. To distinguish them from lesser fairs, they require total design of pavilion buildings from the ground up. As a result, nations compete for the most outstanding or memorable structure—recent examples include Japan, France, Morocco & Spain at Expo '92. Recent Universal Expositions include Brussels Expo '58, Seattle Expo '62, known as the Century 21 Exposition, Montreal Expo '67, San Antonio HemisFair '68, Osaka Expo '70, Knoxville, Tennessee Expo '82 New Orleans Expo '84, Brisbane Expo '88, Seville Expo '92, Lisbon Expo '98, and Hanover, Germany Expo 2000. The Expo 2005 was held at Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Sometimes pre-fabricated structures are also 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).

Related Topics:
Japan - France - Morocco - Spain - Expo '92 - Brussels - Expo '58 - Seattle - Expo '62 - Century 21 Exposition - Montreal - Expo '67 - San Antonio - HemisFair '68 - Osaka - Expo '70 - Knoxville, Tennessee - Expo '82 - New Orleans - Expo '84 - Brisbane - Expo '88 - Seville - Expo '92 - Lisbon - Expo '98 - Hanover - Germany - Expo 2000 - Expo 2005 - Aichi Prefecture

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

BIE has moved to sanction expos only every 5 years, starting with the 21st century; with the 1980s and 1990s overflowing with expos back to back, some see this as a means to cut down potential expenditure by participating nations. Indeed, quite remarkably, it is believed Australia chose not to participate in Expo '98 for this reason alone, perhaps because Seville was too close and too near in time to justify another representation.

Related Topics:
21st century - 1980s - 1990s - Australia - Expo '98

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The rule may apply to all expos, or it may end up that Universal expositions will be restricted to every 5 years or so, with International / Specialized expositions in the in-between years for countries wishing to celebrate a special event.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The only Universal exposition to be held without BIE approval was the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair. Because that Fair did not comply with BIE rules in place at the time, the sanctioning organization denied the Fair an "official" status. The Fair proceeded without BIE approval and turned to tourism and trade organizations to host national pavilions in lieu of official government sponsorship.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~