Date:29/07/2010

The Romania Pavilion, which is shaped like an apple, celebrates its National Pavilion Day today by presenting "A Slice of the Apple" with song, dance and a concert.

The concert, "Sounds of the City," will be performed at the Expo Center tonight.

Both China and Europe have a history which date back to thousands of years ago and Romanian adventurers visited China and wrote journals about the far east country as early as the 17th century, Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi said at this morning's official ceremony at the Expo Center.

China's vigorous and continuous development is impressive and Romania hoped to attract more Chinese visitors Romania and expand cooperation with China in agriculture and infrastructure construction at the Expo, he noted.

Hua Junduo, China's commissioner general for World Expo 2010, said Romania was the third country that established diplomatic relationship with China in the history and the two countries have witnessed fruitful exchange and cooperation over the 60-plus years.

The apple-shaped Romania Pavilion displays the concept of green cities, healthy lifestyle, sustainable development, as well as the wisdom and aspiration for a better life of Romanian people, he said.

The Romania Pavilion theme, "Greenopolis," is carried out in the apple-shaped venue, representing a green city and sustainable, low-carbon living.

"Green" city life is explored inside.

The pavilion in Zone C is in two parts: a five-story shiny green-glass apple, which is a favorite fruit in Romania, and another big piece of apple on the ground facing it.

There's a "bite" taken out of the big apple, and that's the entrance.

The exhibition features "Millennium in Retrospect," "Social and Urban Development Promoted by History and Nature" and "City Life Close to Nature."

The pavilion showcases Romania's ancient history, arts, culture, economy, tourism and other elements. Traditional song and dances are performed regularly. Ethnic costumes and folk handicrafts are exhibited.

The pavilion screens classic Romanian films which had a lasting impression on its people, such as the historical epics "Stefan cel Mare" (1974) and "Mihai Viteazul" (1970). The films create a sense of nostalgia and highlight the country's rapid development in a short period of time.

The green-apple pavilion is illuminated with different lights and colors at night.

The 2,000-square-meter venue contains multifunctional spaces including cinemas, stages, restaurants and a panoramic viewing platform.

Editor: Hu Min