From a 60-ton block of iceberg brought from Antarctica to a 242 sq. m. blanket: throughout history, Chile has taken advantage of international fairs and exhibitions to showcase the best of its culture, creativity and potential. These meetings have been key showcases for projecting the country's image around the world. This year, at Expo Osaka 2025, the Chilean pavilion is once again taking on this challenge with a proposal that seeks to captivate attendees through tradition, innovation and a strong cultural identity.
Seven artistic groups and the presence of the president Gabriel Boric
Chile's National Day will be attended by a large official delegation, headed by the President of the Republic, Gabriel Boric, and other public authorities. The day will include presentations by outstanding national artists, among them the band Congreso, the Rapa Nui pianist Mahani Teave, the artistic collective Banda Conmoción, the illusionist Jean Paul Olhaberry, the National Folkloric Ballet (Bafona), the urban artist Karcocha, the chinchineros Olga Carrasco and Carlos Aravena, and the organ grinder Camilo Cárdenas.
"The National Day of Chile is one of the iconic activities that our country has in the Expo Osaka 2025 and where there will be various activities and presentations that will highlight the richness and cultural diversity of Chile. We believe that this delegation that will represent us in Osaka is a faithful expression of Chile at the Expo: a mixture of tradition and modernity," said the Chilean Commissioner General for Expo Osaka 2025, Paulina Nazal.
It is worth mentioning that the Chilean pavilion was inaugurated on April 13. Specifically, it is called "Makün, the Cloak of Chile": a 242 square meter sheep's wool cloak, woven by 200 Mapuche craftswomen and mounted on a laminated wood structure. This pavilion offers an immersive experience with screens of approximately 40 linear meters, which cover three of the four walls of the enclosure. In addition, there will be 20 thematic weeks dedicated to showing the multiple dimensions of the country.
Chile's most important participations
Paris Exposition 1889
The Paris Universal Exposition of 1889 - held between May 6 and October 31 to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution - had as its main attraction the inauguration of the Eiffel Tower. In that scenario, Chile participated as a guest country with an advanced pavilion for the time, built with iron, an innovative material in the architecture of the 19th century. The project was promoted by the then Minister of Industry and Public Works, Pedro Montt.
The building, today known as the Paris Pavilion, stood out for its modern and elegant design. After the closing of the exposition, it was dismantled and moved to Valparaíso and later to Santiago, where it was reassembled in 1894. It currently houses the Artequin Museum, in the Estación Central district.
Seville 1992
A piece of iceberg that caught the attention of all the attendees and the international press. This was Chile's proposal for the 1992 Seville Exposition, which marked the country's return to this type of event. Specifically, it was a construction that used laminated wood and copper panels, which housed a 60-ton iceberg brought from Bahía Paraíso, in the Antarctic Peninsula.
The objective of this project was to project Chile as a serious country, with functioning institutions and open to foreign investment, capable of transporting natural material from Antarctica to Europe.
Shanghai 2010
Expo Shanghai 2010 was the first international exposition of the 21st century and the first to be held in Asia. Under the slogan "Better City, Better Life", it was open from May 1 to October 31.
Chile's presence was highlighted by the "Well of the Antipodes", an installation that allowed the observation in real time of various locations in the country through connected cameras. Also on display was one of the Phoenix capsules used in the rescue of the 33 miners from the San José mine.
More than 3 million people visited the Chilean stand, which also received the prestigious award for the "most human pavilion" at the world's largest event in 2010.
Milan 2015
The Chile Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015 was an outstanding architectural and cultural display, designed by architect Cristián Undurraga. Built mainly in radiata pine wood, the pavilion represented Chile's natural wealth and geographic diversity. Its structure attracted attention for its reticulated design and its integration with nature, reflecting Chile's identity and commitment to sustainability.
Under the slogan "The love of Chile", the pavilion promoted the country's gastronomy, products and agricultural traditions. There were exhibitions, tastings, artistic displays and cultural activities, positioning Chile as a benchmark in food innovation and environmental awareness.
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