Visitor numbers exceeded the population of Finland in the Shanghai World Expo

Finnish pavilion's visitor number in Shanghai EXPO 2010 exceeded the population of Finland, 

Finland pavilion 'Kirnu' in Shanghai World EXPO is breaking records on all frontiers.  'Kirnu'  in Finnish and "Giant's Kettle" in English, has been visited by more guests than Finland has inhabitants. There are 5 356 907 inhabitants in Finland, and in numbers they have all visited the Finland pavilion. It is a remarkable record - twice as big as the guest flow in the previous EXPO's where Finland has taken part. The approximate visitor number per day has been 30 000 visitors.   

Saima floors in the exhibition's 2nd floor have endured the toughest of real-life tests extremely well.

 "It is difficult to comprehend, that I am the one representing the Finnish population", said  the 5,3 millionth guest, Mr. Zheng Shuqiang.  He was given an VIP tour in the pavilion. After the tour, he commented: "Before, I only knew about Nokia, sauna and winter sports. Now I am very much impressed about the high technology and design which is very well presented in the pavilion."  

EXPO's predicted visitor number, 70 million EXPO guests, was broken on Sunday October 24th. Shanghai World EXPO has been a great success for the fast developing city. Finland at EXPO 2010 participation project and the Finland pavilion at EXPO have been the largest investment by the government of Finlandin past years. Until now, Finland pavilions over 80 partners have organized about 300 events in the Finland pavilion. These events have lead to commercial contacts which could never have been reached from Finland.  

Finland Pavilion Awarded for Best Pavilion Design (category B) in Shanghai World EXPO 2010

The best pavilions of Shanghai World EXPO 2010 were awarded on Saturday October 30th by BIE (Bureau International des Expositions) in Shanghai. Finland pavilion received a Golden Statue for the best Pavilion Design in category B. Nordic countries celebrated in this category, as Norway came in second and Denmark third.

The BIE Pavilion Prizes are given to the participants based on their contributions for EXPO theme "Better City, Better Life". All pavilions were ranked based on three criteria: external design, internal exhibition displays and theme development. Pavilions are divided into four categories based on their type and surface area. Type B pavilions, where Finland belongs, are self-built pavilions with area between 2000 m2 and 3999 m2. There are 21 other pavilions in the same category.

Finland pavilion Kirnu is an architectural masterpiece designed by Helsinki based JKMM Architects, head architect being Teemu Kurkela. The pavilion is inspired by nature and called Kirnu in Finnish, Giant's Kettle in English.