After “I have a dream”, the “we make it happen” phase has begun T his is the year when Ser- bia’s dreams became reali- ty, while the idea of an in- ternational exhibition in Belgrade has already gained its first tangible contours. The last day of 2025 marks the start of the countdown: 500 days until the first expo to be held in the Western Balkans. Serbia shone at Expo 2025 Osaka with its “Floating Forest” pavilion, inspired by Belgrade’s Great War Island. In recogni- tion of its innovative combination of tra- dition and technology, Serbia’s pavilion won the silver award for theme devel- opment and received accolades for tech- nological integration, while more than a million visitors were left with the impres- sion of Serbia as an inspiring and unify- ing country. Standing side by side with famous Osa- ka Expo mascot Myaku Myaku, Serbia’s own expo mascots - a boy and a girl sym- bolising play and imagination, made their premiere appearance in Japan in April. Wearing costumes inspired by tradition and the spirit of play, they won over vis- itors with their cheerfulness and ener- gy, bringing the spirit of a host nation that combines heritage and moderni- ty. Their official names will be symboli- cally revealed on the day that marks 500 days until the start of the Expo in Serbia – with those names having been chosen
through the public votes of tens of thou- sands of people over the course of sever- al months. The year 2025 was also marked by two world-famous names. Usain Bolt, the fastest man on the planet, became a brand ambassador of the exposition, as a figure that embodies its energy, strength and the spirit of play. He was joined in September by Jackie Chan, a legendary actor whose work links East and West, but also tradition and modernity. They jointly became the faces of a global sto- ry of connection that serves as proof that Serbia isn’t just building an exhibition space, but a stage on which the world can become a single community. To ensure the spirit of the Expo can be felt long before the gates open in 2027, July 2025 saw the opening of the Ex- po 2027 Playground, an interactive space in Hall 5 of the Belgrade Fair that cov- ers an area exceeding 2,500 square me- tres. Conceived as a laboratory of play, knowledge and encounters, this multi- media space presents an active vision of what the world can expect to see in 2027. The Expo 2027 Playground hosts daily workshops, exhibitions and family pro-
grammes that combine art, music and science – the very same themes that rep- resent the beating heart of the concept Game(s) for Humanity. Don’t miss the chance to experience this place. More than 4,000 people are working at the location of the future Expo in Surčin on a daily basis. They’re engaged day and night, using the most modern machinery to erect pavilions and install roads and in- frastructure that will soon welcome more than four million visitors. It is here that we’re witnessing the birth of a new part of Belgrade that will remain as a lasting legacy for generations to come. The most exciting chapter begins in 2026: the presentation of the Expo pro- gramme, complete with more than 8,000 events encompassing culture, science and sport. Belgrade will also host forums like GITEX, thus confirming its status as a new hub of innovation and ideas. Serbia has great challenges ahead of it, but al- so opportunities: Expo 2027 is the sto- ry of a country that believed in itself and became a host to the world. And all roads lead to 15 th May, 2027: Serbia is ready, the world is coming.
„Ekspo 2027“ je priča o zemlji koja je verovala u sebe i postala domaćin svetu Expo 2027 is the story of a country that believed in itself and became a host to the world
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