Saudi Arabia Pavilion opens at Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025

The Saudi Arabian Pavilion at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo has officially opened its doors, welcoming visitors to experience the rich culture and future vision of the Kingdom.

The opening was marked by a ceremony attended by His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Steering Committee overseeing Saudi Arabia’s participation in world expos.

The opening of the pavilion included a speech by a Saudi royal

Located in the Connecting Zone (C14-01) near the West Gate, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion will be open to the public from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm throughout the Expo.

Visitors to the Saudi Arabia Pavilion can look forward to an extensive program of over 700 events. These will include daily performances in the Saudi Courtyard, showcasing the Kingdom’s vibrant arts and traditions.

The courtyard area forms a major part of the pavilion

The pavilion will also host special events celebrating significant Saudi Arabian occasions, such as Saudi Arabia National Day on September 23rd and the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia.

During its initial six weeks at the Expo, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion will offer a wide range of engaging experiences.

Attendees can enjoy live shows, captivating musical performances, and dynamic cultural showcases, providing a taste of Saudi Arabia’s artistic landscape.

The opening day was marked by poor weather

Spanning a significant area as the second-largest pavilion after Japan’s, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion invites visitors to embark on a journey through the Kingdom’s past, present, and future aspirations.

The exhibits aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of Saudi Arabia’s heritage and its ambitions for the years to come.

The public opening on the morning of April 13, 2025, featured a flag-raising ceremony led by His Excellency Ambassador Ghazi Faisal Es Bin Zagur, Head of the Saudi Arabian Pavilion Exhibition Area.

A VIP event was held as part of the pavilions opening day

An exclusive VIP event was held in the evening, with keynote speeches delivered by Prince Badr al-Hassan and representatives from the Saudi government.

In his opening remarks, His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al Saud emphasized the pavilion’s role as a platform for “dialogue, exchange of ideas, and sharing knowledge about our cultural heritage and diversity.”

He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s belief in “building bridges with the world to build a brighter future,” drawing upon the Kingdom’s historical legacy as a center of knowledge, science, and peace.

Visitors can see a variety of exhibits about Saudi Arabia

His Excellency Ambassador Ghazi Faisal Es Binzagur welcomed visitors to the pavilion, inviting them to “experience the country’s bold economic transformation and vision for a shared sustainable future.”

He promised an “Epic Journey of Discovery” through the pavilion’s exhibits and events, showcasing “the best of Saudi Arabia’s identity and diversity” through crafts, music, dance, poetry, and cuisine. Ambassador Binzagur also aimed to bridge cultural similarities between Saudi Arabia and Japan, demonstrating that “Saudi Arabia is closer than you might think.”

Furthermore, Ambassador Binzagur underscored the significance of Saudi Arabia’s participation in the context of the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, stating that it would “highlight 70 years of investment, trade and partnership.”

The pavilion includes a restaurant serving Saudi cuisine

He envisioned the pavilion as “a platform to create new opportunities in energy, tourism, culture and trade,” and positioned Expo 2030 Riyadh as a future testament to Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation, inviting attendees to experience the journey from Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 to Riyadh Expo 2030.

Designed by the renowned architectural firm Foster + Partners, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to a sustainable and resilient society. The use of lightweight Saudi stone in the design creates a spatial experience that guides visitors through representations of Saudi Arabia’s towns and cities, while also echoing the nation’s deep cultural roots.

The pavilion courtyard will host events and performances

A winding path within the pavilion leads to the Saudi Courtyard, where guests are greeted with live performances and captivating video projections by Saudi artists. From there, visitors can explore the pavilion’s seven rooms and galleries, including a cultural studio focused on the themes of space and time and innovative Saudi experiences.

The museum section of the pavilion offers an immersive journey through Saudi Arabia’s culture, traditions, evolution, and global impact.

Exhibits such as ‘Evolving Cities,’ ‘Unlimited Human Potential,’ and ‘The Pinnacle of Innovation’ showcase urban development and inspiring projects in healthcare, space, and energy.

Reflecting Saudi Vision 2030’s focus on sustainability, the ‘Sustainable Oceans’ exhibit highlights the Kingdom’s advancements in marine development, including the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) aimed at restoring coral reefs in the Red Sea.

The pavilion also includes a “Souq” style gift shop

Visitors can also explore the Saudi Souq gift shop, offering souvenirs showcasing Saudi Arabian craftsmanship, and dine at the Irth restaurant, which serves authentic cuisine from Saudi Arabia’s 13 regions.

Throughout the week, the pavilion will host over 700 events, including daily music and theatre performances, film screenings, dance, and storytelling. The initial six weeks will feature themed events like “We Are Saudi Arabia,” “Mission Control: Mars,” “Ahlan Wa Sahlan,” “Tales of Water,” business events, theme weeks, and cultural and visual arts and music studios.

Additionally, a VIP-only “Majlis” and “Collaboration Hub” will provide daily spaces for business and investment professionals to meet and network.

Sources: PR Times