Osaka Expo 2025 – Lina Ghotmeh
Expo 2025 is a World Expo organised and sanctioned by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which is being held in Osaka, Japan. It is taking place for six months from 13 April to 13 October 2025. This is the second time that Osaka has hosted a World Expo, having previously hosted Expo 1970. The Expo takes place on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. The projected visitor count is approximately 28 million.
Bahrain’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka is commissioned and organized by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities. The pavilion reflects Bahrain’s historical connection to the sea, drawing inspiration from the Kingdom’s seafaring heritage and traditional dhow construction, integrating Japanese joinery techniques. “The Kingdom of Bahrain’s national participation ‘Connecting Seas,’ explores Bahrain’s longstanding position as a port at the intersection of cultures and commerce, linking international trade routes across the chapters of history” noted Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed, Commissioner General of the Bahrain Pavilion.
Situated in the “Empowering Lives” zone, the pavilion spans 995 square meters and Rises from 13 to 17 meters in height across four levels, overlooking the seafront. Designed by Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh, the structure is made from wood and cooled by coastal winds, making it one of the most sustainable buildings in the Expo. “The Bahrain Pavilion embodies sustainability, cultural exchange, and craftsmanship. Built from around 3,000 pieces of un-engineered wood using intricate joinery, it minimizes waste,” says Ghotmeh, “Minimal foundations avoid concrete, nearly all materials are reusable, and passive cooling reduces energy use—making it a testament to sustainable innovation.”
Visitors are invited to experience the pavilion through a sensory exhibition experience that engages the five senses. Curated by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, the exhibition features collaborations with artists Shepherd Studio, Sissel Tolaas, Hassan Hujairi, and La Méduse to narrate the theme of connectivity through trade, crafts, manufacture, pearling, and ecology in a series of galleries. “The Kingdom of Bahrain national participation explores the resilience and adaptability of sea cultures. The sea is a central component of the Islands of Bahrain, a significance that is shared in Japanese culture and expressed through art, photography, music, and film.” shares Noura Al Sayeh Holtrop, the Deputy Commissioner General of the Pavilion.
