Shanghai Experience - A cultural perspective
When I was offered the opportunity to visit World Expo in Shanghai, I grabbed it as it was not an everyday affair where I can ‘see’ the world within a short span of time. Well, it was really the world - from a different perspective - that I have seen, touched, tasted, smelled and experienced.
Looking from the cultural and innovation persepctive, it takes a special eye to see the link with all the use of technology and media by the different countries. What impressed me was China Pavillion. The Chinese spared no expense to show the world who is and will be the next world economic leader. The use of 4D technology to illustrate a renowed classical painting was impressive. Maybe with this, we can get to appreciate a painting through interactions and make observations without feeling helpless. There is now a link between the past and the present and maybe even the future.
It is not right to say that only those countries who spent the most amount will showcase the best of their countries’ strenghts and economic powers. My teammates and I were very impressed when we visited the simple but yet classic Vietnam Pavillion. Through the use of rattan, clay and other local materials, they were able to showcase their artistic works. In fact this is one pavillion which was not trying too hard to impress. Within a small enclosed space, Vietnamese culture and its links with France were evident.
Of course, withina short visit to Shanghai, we got to experience Chinese culture first hand. There was always a huge crowd or long queues of people everywhere. Peolple seemd to love to rush and run from one place to another. They were always talking loudly and munching soemhting which looked like cucumber. We never really understood why they need to rush and run. As law-abidding Singaporeans, we were at a loss at first. But we learnt and we relaised the importance to stand up and tell the Shanghainese that they had to follow the rules.
It was an enriching experience. I regret that I did not get to visit all pavillions and indeed the World Expo is a must to visit for all - at least once in a lifetime. As for me, I would want to visit it again - in Shanghai or any parts of the world!
Sooh Yee, Canberra Secondary School
