World Expo 2000

Actually, I was planning on writing part two of taking pets to Europe, but then I remembered-my goodness, the world's fair in Hanover opened June 1st, and I haven't mentioned a word about it. So taking Muffy to Europe will have to wait until next time...as we explore all of those archaic and obscene quarantine laws that some nations still insist on keeping.

But back to Hanover-the 2000 World Exposition has opened. It hasn't received all that much publicity here in the U.S., and for good reason. For the first time in the 149 year history of world expos or fairs, the U.S. will not have a presence. The reason-enough private sponsors could not be found to cover the $40 million cost.

Embarrassing? Yes, very. Unlike other countries, U.S. law doesn't allow taxpayer money to be spent on this type of endeavor, so it is up to private industry to foot the bill. The U.S. Expo Commissioner said that they approached almost all of the Fortune 500 companies, and not a one was interested. So instead, the U.S. has a virtual site on the Internet...wow! Don't get me wrong, I have an umbilical cord to the Net, but some things in life have to be experienced live-like a pavilion at a world event.

Still that isolationist attitude, but let's not get into that. Bottom line, if you are an American, you're not going to see an exhibit from your home country. The U.S. has been criticized for not having a presence at the fair, and I have to admit, it is embarrassing. I mean, how can you claim to be a world leader and yet not come to the world's fair? If Andorra, Mongolia and Zimbabwe can come up with the cash to build a hut in Hanover, surely the Americans can cough up the same resources. Even tiny remote Bhutan has managed to put up a temple to show off some of their artifacts....

However, kudos for the Canadians for making a spectacular showing, and not getting sucked into the snobbery of their neighbor. More than 170 nations and dozens of organizations are represented--nearly 200 in all--and Canada's pavilion at the largest World's Fair in history (yes, it's the biggest) is second in size to only the host country. But then, Canada is a grand country, built on an epic scale, so I guess their exhibit is proving just that. It is a showcase of leading Canadian exhibit design and multi-media who have joined together to create a dynamic three dimensional experience.

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