Algeria To Exhibit Its Architectural Treasures At 2010 Shanghai World Expo
With the theme of “Better City – Better Life” the city of Shanghai in China will be hosting the 2010 Shanghai World Expo from 1 May through to 31 October 2010. Of the 191 countries that were issued with official invitations from China’s central government to participate in the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, Algeria was among the first countries to respond. On 13 November 2008, Algeria’s commissioner general for the Expo, Bensalem Mohamed, met with deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, Zhou Hanmin, to sign the necessary paperwork for participation in the Expo.
Algeria will be renting a 1,000 square meter pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo with the intention of showcasing the country’s many marvelous ancient architectural wonders, as well as highlighting the modern urban planning of its cities. Emphasis will be placed on the way Algerian cities are planned to ensure that modern buildings coexist in harmony with valuable historic sites. Algeria has a history going back thousands of years BC when it was occupied by Berbers. Due to its strategic geographical location, Algeria has been invaded and conquered by a series of military powers including Phoenician, Roman, Vandal, Byzantine, Arab, Turk and French, before finally attaining independence in 1962. With each conquest, the conquerors constructed buildings, some of which were destroyed by the subsequent conqueror, but many of which remain. The most enduring architectural influence has perhaps been that of the Arabs, Turks and French. Visitors to Algeria don’t have to be architects to appreciate the graceful French-colonial style buildings and imposing fortresses, the Arab-styled homes, beautifully decorated mosques, the crowded lanes and markets of the Kasbahs and so much more.
The host country, China, will be emphasizing the topic of “Urbanization in China”. Algeria’s choice to highlight the modern and ancient blend of its urban areas fits in perfectly with the overall theme of the expo. The 2010 Shanghai World Expo will give Algeria the opportunity to bring the beauty of its cities, towns and villages to the international community. This will very likely encourage many expo visitors to travel to Algeria and see first-hand all its architectural treasures, along with all the other many facets that make this fascinating country a popular tourist destination.
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