Swiss pavilion / pavilhão suíço

[worldfairs]

Text extracted from "Guia Expo'98"

Theme: Switzerland, Mother of Europe's Water
Area: 972 m²
Authors: Willi & Eva Ebinger and Patrizia Villiger
Visit length: variable
Capacity: 1,800 visitors per hour
Expected visitors: 2.3 million
Shop: chocolates, Swiss army knives, watches
National Day: June 19
Further information: there is an interactive system with information about the country, Swiss Click, and Internet access

This landlocked nation responds to the challenge of the oceans by drawing attention to the rivers

In the distance you can already hear the traditional songs of the various cantons. When you get closer you realise that this is an unusual group of musicians. Sculpted and monochromatic, they are men of the seven instruments that came out of the imagination of Nik Schwabe, a national artist.

Inside, fresh water fountains dominate the scenery and can be played, refreshing the visitors. This is how you get to know its four major aquatic representatives: the rivers Rhone, Ticino, Inn and Rhine. But the great attraction is a dynamic water sculpture several metres high - the Aquadrome - a kind of double helix in which the threads of water are in constant movement without ever losing their shape.

In this pavilion there are also 60 objects representing a multifaceted Switzerland: from a clock that goes backwards (which is usually in Lisbon's Bntish Bar) to stuffed frogs (pictured) to Pingu dolls, a cartoon figure.

To these rivers are dedicated installations (the one that pays homage to the Rhine is signed by Jean Tinguely and came directly from Basel), with the generic name of Phenomenal Fountain