World's fair

A world's fair, world fair, world exposition, or universal exposition (sometimes expo or Expo for short) is a large public exhibition. These exhibitions vary in character and are held in varying parts of the world. The next world's fair is Expo 2017 and is to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Since the 1928 Convention Relating to International Exhibitions came into force, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE; English: International Exhibitions Bureau) has served as an international sanctioning body for world's fairs. BIE-approved fairs are of three types: universal, international, and specialized. They usually last from three weeks to six months.

History

World's fairs originated in the French tradition of national exhibitions, a tradition that culminated with the French Industrial Exposition of 1844 held in Paris. This fair was followed by other national exhibitions in continental Europe and the United Kingdom.

The best-known 'first World Expo' was held in The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, United Kingdom, in 1851, under the title "Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations". The Great Exhibition, as it is often called, was an idea of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, and is usually considered to be the first international exhibition of manufactured products. It influenced the development of several aspects of society, including art-and-design education, international trade and relations, and tourism. These events have resulted in a remarkable form of Prince Albert's life history, one that continues to be reflected in London architecture in a number of ways, including in the Albert Memorial later erected to the Prince. This expo was the most obvious precedent for the many international exhibitions, later called world's fairs, that have continued to be held to the present time.

Weltausstellung 1873 Wien

Weltausstellung 1873 Wien (English: World Exposition 1873 Vienna) was the large world exposition that was held in 1873 in the Austria-Hungarian capital of Vienna. Its motto was Kultur und Erziehung (English: Culture and Education).

There were almost 26,000 exhibitors housed in different buildings that were erected for this exposition, including the Rotunde (English: Rotunda), a large circular building in the great park of Prater designed by the Scottish engineer John Scott Russell. The Rotunde was destroyed by fire on September 17, 1937.

The Russian pavilion had a naval section designed by Viktor Hartmann. Exhibits included models of the Port of Rijeka and the Illés Relief model of Jerusalem.

Gallery

Main entrance to the fair with the Rotunde behind

Main entrance to the fair with the Rotunde behind

Naval section of the Russian pavilion

Naval section of the Russian pavilion

The Illés Relief

The Illés Relief

Exhibition hall for art and oriental

Exposition Internationale d'Anvers (1894)

Exposition Internationale d'Anvers was a World's Fair held in Antwerp, Belgium between 5 May and 5 November in 1894.

It covered 65.5 acres (265,000 m²), attracted 3 million visits and made a profit

Participating Nations

There were several participating nations: Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, China, Congo, Denmark, Spain, USA, United Kingdom, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Persia, Portugal, Kingdom of Romania, Russia, South African Republic, Switzerland and the Ottoman Empire.

There was also a joint presence from Sweden and Norway.

As well as Netherlands itself there were presentations of the Dutch East Indies including Java, parts of Sumatra and Madura.

Fair officials

The Count of Ursel was the Commissioner General and the Count of Pret Roose of Calesburg the President of the Executive Committee

See also

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/miscpics/0/0/6/doc/mp006678.shtml shows an engraving of the expo grounds.

References