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'From Heidi to High Tech': the Swiss pavilion opens its doors at Osaka World Expo 2025

Press releases, 13.04.2025

Bern, 13.4.2025 - The Swiss pavilion was inaugurated on Sunday 13 April in the presence of the president of the National Council, Maja Riniker. An immersive exhibition entitled 'From Heidi to High Tech' showcases Switzerland's diversity and outstanding features: from its iconic Alpine heritage to its status as a world centre for innovation and cutting-edge technology. Presence Switzerland, which is part of the FDFA General Secretariat, is responsible for Switzerland's presence in Osaka. FDFA General Secretary Markus Seiler also attended the inauguration of the World Expo in Osaka, representing the FDFA.

From left: Heidi(The official mascot of the Swiss pavilion), Ambassador Alexandre Edelmann (Head of Presence Switzerland), Ms. Maja Riniker(President of the National Council), Mr. Markus Seiler(Secretary General of the FDFA), Ambassador Roger Dubach, Manuel Salchli (Commissioner General of the Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka)
From left: Heidi(The official mascot of the Swiss pavilion), Ambassador Alexandre Edelmann (Head of Presence Switzerland), Ms. Maja Riniker(President of the National Council), Mr. Markus Seiler(Secretary General of the FDFA), Ambassador Roger Dubach, Manuel Salchli (Commissioner General of the Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka) ©FDFA, Presence Switzerland

Expo 2025, which runs from 13 April to 13 October 2025 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay, brings together 158 countries and eight international organisations. Built around the theme 'Designing future society for our lives', the event is expected to attract 28 million visitors. This is the second World Expo to be hosted by the Japanese city. The first was in 1970.

Under Presence Switzerland, the unit of the FDFA responsible for Switzerland's communication abroad, "the Swiss pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka aims to increase the visibility of Switzerland's capacity for innovation among the general public and Japanese decision-makers," explains Ambassador Alexandre Edelmann, head of the unit. It should also help to strengthen the already close political, economic and scientific ties between Japan and Switzerland. The scientific programme has been developed in collaboration with Swissnex – Switzerland's global network for education, research and innovation – around three themes of innovation: 'Augmented human', 'Life' and 'Planet'. Swissnex is an initiative of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation and is part of the Confederation's external network managed by the FDFA.
 
The Swiss pavilion: where creativity meets sustainability
In the spirit of Expo 2025, which is intended to be a platform to discuss a sustainable future, Switzerland set out to design a pavilion that stands out as a shining example for the environment. Its fluid, organic architecture, combining lightweight materials and energy efficiency, is already attracting interest from the Japanese public and media.

Reflecting the image of our country, the pavilion's spheres – made of a fine, resistant membrane held up by supporting structures – blend into a green, peaceful environment, providing an immersive, interactive experience. A shop and the Heidi Café – with a panoramic view of the Expo site – add to the overall experience (see project website). Over 1.5 million visitors are expected.

A bridge between Switzerland and Japan
Heidi, a timeless figure who is popular in Japan, is the pavilion's official ambassador, embodying the historic friendship between the two nations, which recently celebrated their 160th year of bilateral relations in 2024. Japan, the main market for Swiss exports to Asia, is also one of Europe's main economic partners, while Switzerland is one of Japan's biggest foreign investors.

The Swiss pavilion will act as a catalyst for the promotion of Switzerland's interests in Japan. The recent opening of a Swiss consulate in central Osaka, serving also as the Swissnex office in Japan, strengthens Switzerland's presence in the region.
 
A showcase for our interests
Based on the model of a public-private partnership, this official Swiss presence highlights the outstanding aspects of our country and the synergies between its various stakeholders. In addition to the three main partners – GESDA, Nestlé and MSC – a number of Swiss companies are also taking part, including Firmenich, Bally, USM and Vitra, as well as organisations such as Switzerland Tourism, Swiss Wine Promotion and several Swiss universities.

The Swiss pavilion: facts and figures
Duration: from 13 April to 13 October 2025
Venue: Yumeshima, Osaka, Japan
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 9pm
Surface area: 260m2
Title: From Heidi to High Tech
Organiser: Presence Switzerland, FDFA
Head of project: Manuel Salchli, Presence Switzerland
Project team: Manuel Herz Architects, Bellprat Partner (scenography), NUSSLI Group (general contractor) et Robin Winogrund (landscape architecture)

More about «'From Heidi to High Tech': the Swiss pavilion opens its doors at Osaka World Expo 2025»:

Address for enquiries
Ambassador Alexandre Edelmann
Head of Presence Switzerland
Tel. +41 76 585 58 92
alexandre.edelmann@eda.admin.ch

FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html

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Last update 10.05.2024