Shanghai Expo: Pudong Side, Europe has ancient culture, too!
There were a few pavilions from Europe that we saw that really pushed the idea that they, too have ancient culture. I am guessing that having the Expo in China this year, several countries felt the need to prove that 5000 years ago they also had culture.
We saw it first at the Ukraine Pavilion. We weren't going to go in, but after seeing this at the entrance, and no line to speak of, Randy and I were intrigued. Neither of us were familiar with this version of the Flood story.
Inside was nothing else about this, but rather, how Ukrainian Urban Planners are inspired by Chinese culture to build a flexible urban city.
The Turkey Pavilion, too, on its exterior proudly proclaimed its place in ancient history. There was another outside wall that declared Turkey the cradle of civilization. We did not get in, though, even though the wait promised to be short.
The Ireland Pavilion, though, we did stand in line and enter. We were drawn to this pavilion because we, like half the population of the eastern US, are part Irish. Well, that and maybe just True Ruler of the Free World Bono commanded us to go in
The first part of the pavilion establishes Ireland's claim on having ancient culture, referencing tombs and fortresses several thousand years old, and early Christian chapels and cathedrals built more than 1000 years ago
And then came the point where we were introduced to more contemporary contributions from Ireland, like this one. Look, Mom! Take a picture for Daddy! It's Jameson's!
As well as Irish, both famous and anonymous.
This one comes with an earworm, "The boys are back in town" though Randy and I were singing a deeper cut, "The Sacred Heart is bleeding. Don't tell the Holy Ghost."
This one I had already posted to FB, but good grief if these two don't look like half my cousins.
The next section showed the changing way of life of the Irish in the past 100 years. This was fascinating on so many levels. First the pictures without comment.
Early 20th century rural farmhouse.
Mid-century suburban home.
Contemporary urban apartment.
Other than the obvious furnishings, what has changed? I mean also other than the loss of the home still. Yes, it is that obvious isn't it, the change from the shelf cluttered with Infant of Prague and a Crucifix to a few objects of devotion to the single head of Buddha. What I can't tell is whether the change to Buddha is part of a change in spirituality or design aesthetic in contemporary Ireland. But obviously it was a deliberate move on the part of the pavilion designers. By the way, there are other differerences as well that might not show up well in these photographs. The dining tables are set for meals, and show the change in diet in the Irish diet over the last 100 years, especially the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in contemporary times. Another is that in the contemporary apartment, there's not much sign of children. The country farmhouse has a cradle. The suburban home of the 50s has a few toys. The Irish urban dweller today has a fantastic view of the Harp bridge and an uncluttered life.
By the way, we thought with so many other pavilions serving food and drink we would have the opportunity to have some Irish food and beer. If it was there, we didn't find it. People that know me well would probably pick up on the absence of Magner or Guiness in this previous post.
We saw it first at the Ukraine Pavilion. We weren't going to go in, but after seeing this at the entrance, and no line to speak of, Randy and I were intrigued. Neither of us were familiar with this version of the Flood story.
Inside was nothing else about this, but rather, how Ukrainian Urban Planners are inspired by Chinese culture to build a flexible urban city.
Really, this is it. Well, this and a stand of women selling Easter Eggs and other brightly painted things that looked like something out of a Pittsburgh ethnic festival.
The Turkey Pavilion, too, on its exterior proudly proclaimed its place in ancient history. There was another outside wall that declared Turkey the cradle of civilization. We did not get in, though, even though the wait promised to be short.
The Ireland Pavilion, though, we did stand in line and enter. We were drawn to this pavilion because we, like half the population of the eastern US, are part Irish. Well, that and maybe just True Ruler of the Free World Bono commanded us to go in
The first part of the pavilion establishes Ireland's claim on having ancient culture, referencing tombs and fortresses several thousand years old, and early Christian chapels and cathedrals built more than 1000 years ago
And then came the point where we were introduced to more contemporary contributions from Ireland, like this one. Look, Mom! Take a picture for Daddy! It's Jameson's!
As well as Irish, both famous and anonymous.
This one comes with an earworm, "The boys are back in town" though Randy and I were singing a deeper cut, "The Sacred Heart is bleeding. Don't tell the Holy Ghost."
This one I had already posted to FB, but good grief if these two don't look like half my cousins.
The next section showed the changing way of life of the Irish in the past 100 years. This was fascinating on so many levels. First the pictures without comment.
Early 20th century rural farmhouse.
Mid-century suburban home.
Contemporary urban apartment.
Other than the obvious furnishings, what has changed? I mean also other than the loss of the home still. Yes, it is that obvious isn't it, the change from the shelf cluttered with Infant of Prague and a Crucifix to a few objects of devotion to the single head of Buddha. What I can't tell is whether the change to Buddha is part of a change in spirituality or design aesthetic in contemporary Ireland. But obviously it was a deliberate move on the part of the pavilion designers. By the way, there are other differerences as well that might not show up well in these photographs. The dining tables are set for meals, and show the change in diet in the Irish diet over the last 100 years, especially the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in contemporary times. Another is that in the contemporary apartment, there's not much sign of children. The country farmhouse has a cradle. The suburban home of the 50s has a few toys. The Irish urban dweller today has a fantastic view of the Harp bridge and an uncluttered life.
By the way, we thought with so many other pavilions serving food and drink we would have the opportunity to have some Irish food and beer. If it was there, we didn't find it. People that know me well would probably pick up on the absence of Magner or Guiness in this previous post.
Comments