Kuwait’s ‘Visionary Lighthouse’ draws crowds at Expo 2025

OSAKA: Kuwait’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan — dubbed the Visionary Lighthouse — has been attracting long daily queues since opening, thanks to its captivating blend of heritage and innovation. The pavilion showcases Kuwait as a country where tradition and progress coexist, using culture as a bridge for dialogue and understanding.

Visitors journey through Kuwait’s past, present, and future across two levels. The first floor explores the nation’s rich heritage and traditions, while the second presents its aspirations through cutting-edge technology. Four exhibition halls use immersive features and AI to bring these stories to life. At the heart of the pavilion lies The Pearl, a symbolic space honoring Kuwait’s historic pearl-diving legacy.

A video circulating on social media, showing visitors interacting with Kuwaiti desert sand inside the pavilion, has helped drive interest. “We saw the clip and came to try it ourselves — it looked fun,” said two young women waiting in line. A visiting family described the experience as magical: “The planetarium felt like lying under the stars in the desert… We hope to return.”

OSAKA: Visitors enjoy the different attractions at Kuwait’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan. — KUNA photos

On Friday, a Kuwaiti folklore troupe energized the stage in celebration of the visit by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. A group of five women told KUNA they loved the performance. “Kuwaiti music is so rhythmic and beautiful,” one said. “We didn’t know much about Kuwait, but the music created a sense of connection,” added another.

Minister of Information and Culture Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi said the pavilion offers a rich, multidimensional experience. “It reflects Kuwait’s future ambitions while honoring its authentic identity — a blend of cultural openness and deeply rooted values,” he told KUNA.

Expo 2025 Osaka runs from April 13 to October 13 on Yumeshima Island under the theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives, with sub-themes including Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives. The expo focuses on innovation, sustainability, and cultural exchange, with around 160 countries and nine international organizations participating. More than 28 million visitors are expected. Kuwait’s participation continues a historic legacy — it was one of just four Arab nations represented at Expo Osaka 1970, the first world expo held in Japan, which drew over 64 million visitors. — KUNA