NORWAY, the country of forests, fjords mountains and coastlines, will invite visitors to an Expo pavilion consisting of 15 model “trees” each offering different experiences.

The northwest European country will share its experiences in resources and energy conservation in its pavilion with the theme “Norway. Powered by Nature,” Oyvind Slaake, Vice Minister of Norway’s Trade and Industry, said, after signing a participation contract with the Shanghai Expo organizers.

Scene of the signing ceremony[en.expo2010.cn]

Most Norwegian cities are close to the sea, forests or mountains, and the country will show how these cities “invite nature into the city and use nature to improve the quality of life,” said Philip Lote, the Communication Director of Norway’s Expo participation.

The vice minister said the Norwegian concept for the Expo would also be presented through the innovative design of the Norway Pavilion, which will be a highlight of the country’s participation.

An artist’s rendition of the Norway Pavilion[en.expo2010.cn]

The pavilion will be made of wood and bamboo with 15 model trees. The trees will be arranged in groups giving a solid interpretation of Norway’s varied landscapes, said Arild Blixrud, Acting Commissioner General of Norway at the Expo.

The country will move the prefabricated laminated wood building kits to the Expo site for assembly.

The main section of the pavilion can adjust to allow large or small presentations for individual groups. The pavilion will also have the Fjord Restaurant which will serve Norwegian food and a business center for conferences and forums, the commissioner general said.

An artist’s rendition of the Norway Pavilion[en.expo2010.cn]

Visitors will enjoy a “powerful sensory experience,” said Blixrud.

The Norwegian government hopes to keep the “15 trees” in China after the Expo as a “symbol of the friendly relations between the two countries,” Blixrud added.

The pavilion could be split and moved to different areas of China, or relocated as a whole, Blixrud told Shanghai Daily.

The “trees” could become restaurants, conference halls, or located in local parks for people to enjoy, Reinhard Kropf, one of the chief designers of the pavilion said.

The pavilion cost 150 million Norwegian kroner (US$22.8 million), half provided by the Norwegian government and another half from state and private enterprises, Blixrud told media at the signing ceremony.