Off to Osaka! The world is coming together – and we're right in the middle of it. 

Today is the day: Expo 2025 in Osaka is officially open! The world’s largest festival for ideas, innovation, and international exchange has begun. And us? Once again, we’re right in the thick of things – full of passion and excitement to finally present our work to visitors.

We have been working intensively on this project since mid-2022 – with passion, creativity and the experience of 25 years in this field. We have already brought ten national pavilions to life at previous world expos. Three more will be added in Osaka: the pavilions for Germany, Austria and the European Union.  

Say Hello to the German Pavilion at Expo! (Copyright: facts and fiction/ Stefan Schilling)

GERMANY

For the German pavilion, we have taken on a major topic: the circular economy. Sounds technical? Maybe – but above all, it’s an invitation to a new way of thinking, doing business, and living together. The pavilion shows that it can work and presents circular visions and proven technologies from Germany.

And who guides you through this immersive world of? The Circulars – small, round creatures, so cute that you'll like to adopt them straight away. These mascots live in a perfectly circular world and show us how circularity can work – with a wink, with joy, with purpose. And with their voices in the visitors’ ears as an audio guide.

The residents of the German Pavilion, the Circulars, accompany visitors through the exhibition. (Copyright: facts and fiction/ Stefan Schilling)

AUSTRIA

The Austrian pavilion in the twilight of Osaka. (Copyright: facts and fiction/ Stefan Schilling)

Just a few steps away, things get musical: Austria invites you in – with a pavilion that sounds like the future: “Austria. Composing the Future.” For the Japanese, Austria is the country of music, and the pavilion takes guests on a musical journey. From the familiar world of Viennese classical music, it leads into the unknown – into a land of innovation and inventiveness. In the end, guests become part of the final composition themselves and help decide what the future should sound like. A surprising interactive installation! 

EUROPEAN UNION

On the other side of the Expo grounds, the EU pavilion presents itself as a green oasis under the theme “Nurturing Tomorrow”. Visitors can discover through interactive experiences how the EU and Japan are working together for a sustainable future. Whether it’s playful interaction with plants that cast digital shadows or a Zen robot drawing lines in the sand – the EU pavilion shows how ideas can connect people.

The EU pavilion – a green oasis. (Copyright: facts and fiction/ Stefan Schilling)

After two and a half years of preparation, we can say: these projects truly challenged us. Challenged us to think outside the box. Challenged us to adapt content and design to Japanese expectations. Challenged us to develop three very different narratives and design approaches. But as we all know – challenges help us grow!

Projects of this size and complexity are always teamwork. Without our strong team and many great partners, this would not have been possible. Design, scenography, technology, concept, logistics, project management – it all intertwines. Together, we have worked tirelessly to realize three pavilions that inspire and excite people. 

We’re so excited for everything that lies ahead: for new encounters, for familiar faces, for “aha” moments, for curious eyes, for wide-eyed children and critical thinkers, for conversations about the past – and about what’s to come.

Visitors are composing the future in the Austrian Pavillon. (Copyright: facts and fiction/ Stefan Schilling)