The institution has been created thanks to an idea that was born during the preparations for the 2020 World EXPO in Dubai. It was there that a presentation by the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the Podlaskie Voivodeship was held under the Xylopolis trademark.
The Marshal’s Office of the Podlaskie Voivodeship has invited important and substantive partners to carry out this challenging project: the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the Institute of Environmental Protection – National Research Institute, Białystok University of Technology, University of Białystok and Unibep Group’s “Unitalent” Foundation – the originator of the idea and the original name of the exhibition (Woodpolis).
During EXPO 2020, the Podlaskie Voivodeship Marshal’s Office, apart from promotional activities and economic missions featuring representatives of key industries serving as ambassadors of the region’s economy, also presented a fascinating history, deeply and truly embedded in the reality of the region. The conceptual design was made by students at the Białystok University of Technology based on the premises developed by a group of experts composed of representatives of all project partners.
The exhibition by the Podlaskie Voivodeship was presented in the Polish Pavilion, which was made entirely of wood, and not only captured the hearts of visitors, but also won over specialists from the design industry. The showcase of our country won first place in the category of large pavilions in the World Expo Awards competition organised by EXHIBITOR Magazine. The work by the Polish WXCA and Swiss Bellprat Partner architecture studios was also appreciated by thee Bureau International des Expositions in the “interior design” category, receiving a silver medal.
No wonder the idea was born to move the building to Poland and reuse it. According to the original idea, the pavilion was supposed to be placed in the Podlaskie Voivodeship – as a building made of wood, it was ideally suited to presenting the idea of Xylopolis. Today we know that in the location chosen by specialists, the Podlaskie Museum of Folk Culture, a new building will be constructed – the seat of the Xylopolis Centre for Wood Art and Science, modelled after the Polish Pavilion at the 2020 World Exhibition EXPO in Dubai.
The director of the XYLOPOLIS Center for Wood Art and Science is Tomasz Szeweluk.
