UK Dunlop to Fund Scandalous Bulgarian Shanghai Display

The impressive Romania pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo site in Shanghai where many say the Bulgarian display pales compared to those of most countries even from the Balkans and CEE. Photo by BGNES

The British tire maker Dunlop Inc. is willing to sponsor the controversial Bulgarian exhibit at the Expo Shanghai 2010, the International Plovdiv Fair Association reports.

The Association, which is in charge of organizing Bulgaria's representation in Shanghai announced several weeks ago that the management of the world Expo 2010 in Shanghai gave Bulgaria an ultimatum to provide additional financing by May 14 otherwise the country's pavilion will have to be closed. From the BGN 1.3 M slated by the Bulgarian Economy Ministry, and another BGN nearly 1 M received from China as assistance, only a mere BGN 19 000 remain. This will make impossible maintaining the pavilion until the end of the expo – October 31, 2010.

Economy Minister, Traicho Traikov, countered the Association had not provided an account for the expenditure and the State does not have any more funding. He, however, declared, closing the pavilion is not an option and promised some sort of State help.

Georgi Gergov, who is the majority shareholder of the Fair, explained later the State would not provide additional financing but will send more employees to help with the display.

According to the Association, the Dunlop management learned about the situation from media publications and offered to help, pointing out they are hoping for “collaboration.”

Bulgaria has a pavilion of 324 sq. m., focusing on the link between the present and the past, Bulgaria's cultural and historical heritage and present-day way of life. The building is shared by several countries. Pictures from the Bulgarian participation have been difficult to find, but eyewitnesses say the Bulgarian pavilion and display are nondescript and plain compared to others, even from the Balkan region. The 4 employees sent there as guides do not speak Chinese.

An investigative report of Bulgaria's weekly “Capital” revealed numerous violations in how the funding was spent beginning from the selection of the design and its author to the way Bulgaria is represented in Shanghai.

The Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China entitled “Better Life, Better City” takes place between May 1 and October 31, 2010 with participants from over 200 countries.

 

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