Slovenia celebrates Pavilion Day

The Slovenia Pavilion in Zone C celebrates its National Pavilion Day?on June 24?with a concert called "The Sound of Slovenia."

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Slovenia hopes to promote economic cooperation and friendship with China by participating in the Expo, Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor said at this morning's ceremony in the Expo Center. He invited Chinese people to the country and appreciate the beauty of Ljubljana.

The country declared its independence in 1991 and has achieved noticeable progress since then, he noted.

Ma Kai, State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council, said the design of the Slovenia Pavilion is unique, which showcases the development of Slovenia's cities by unfolding eight "Open Books." Visitors will be able to travel through the sea of books in a pleasant journey through time, he noted.

The Expo would serve as a platform of understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two peoples and promote the further development of Sino-Slovenian relationship, he said.

Zhou Hanmin, deputy director of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai Executive Committee, hosted the ceremony. Wang Fuyuan, China's deputy commissioner general for World Expo 2010, attended the ceremony.

The pavilion is themed and designed as an "Open Book," with the back resembling a bookshelf listing thousands of books of many types and languages.

Inside, the pavilion features eight large exhibition areas or "books," symbolizing the "eight immortals crossing the sea" from Chinese legends. Chinese elements are included in the exhibition.

The books showcase Slovenia's economy, culture, science and technology, culture and other aspects and the exhibitions feature fantastic sights and sounds of Slovenia.