XYLOPOLIS at EXPO 2020 Dubai

A joint presentation prepared by Podlaskie Voivodeship and the Ministry of Climate and Environment under the slogan XYLOPOLIS will be demonstrated at EXPO 2020 in Dubai, on 15-24 October, 2021, during the Podlaskie Week. Details on this project were presented on 27 May 2021, at the press conference which launched the project promotional campaign.

The presentation prepared for the Podlasie Week at EXPO 2020 will promote culture, economy, science of the region as well as encourage tourism. The emphasis will be put on the exhibition prepared under the framework of XYLOPOLIS (WoodCity).

Showcase of Poland

As said by Mr. Artur Kosicki, the Marshal of Podlaskie Voivodeship – This undertaking is in line with the motto of our province “Podlaskie region powered by nature”. Wood and forests are one of our most important assets. The presentation of XYLOPOLIS will show how to make use of natural capital assets in economy, culture and art, and above all, how to do it wisely. We would like to present the history of the region in view of wood. I value this project, first of all because it is just like our region – interesting, unique and one of a kind.

The Ministry of Climate and Environment joined this project for several reasons.

– To begin with, the XYLOPOLIS exhibition is an effort to showcase Poland and our natural environment. Poland’s natural capital, most often perceived by us as nothing unusual, is in fact exceptional and has to be safeguarded – states Mr. Michał Kurtyka, the Minister for Climate and Environment.

XYLOPOLIS enhances cooperation of many institutions. The tasks are implemented by the Podlaskie Voivodship and the Ministry of Climate and Environment in partnership with the Institute of Environmental Protection – National Research Institute, Białystok University of Technology, the University of Białystok and as well as the Unitalent foundation by the Unibep group, who recommended wood as the main theme of the exhibition.

– The seed was ours, but it fell on good soil, i.e. the Marshal’s Office. And then so many fantastic partners got involved in caring the project out – says Jan Mikołuszko, the Chairman of the Board of the the Unitalent foundation by the Unibep group.

The best-fitting jigsaw puzzle

Xylopolis is a story about the relationship of nature and modern technology. The story is deeply rooted in the reality of the Podlasie region, where forests are one of the most valuable natural resources. Wood – a raw material that has always affected the lives of residents of the region and played a crucial role in its economic and social development. The exhibition will combine the knowledge of the region’s nature with the examples of the potential, creativity and achievements of the local society in the areas, such as  research, new technologies, economy as well as culture and arts.  All these will be presented by Poland at EXPO 2020, for the first time addressing a regional level.

Preparations are in the final straight. Our motto is “Creativity inspired by nature”. There is no puzzle more fitting to this slogan than XYLOPOLIS – says Mr. Adrian Malinowski, the Commissioner General of the Polish Section of EXPO 2020 Dubai.

It is worth mentioning that the participation in the World Expo 2020  Dubai is one of the key projects of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency in terms of foreign economic promotion. It is a unique chance to present the potential of our country in the Middle East, which is the world center of trade exchange.

The exhibition will be accompanied by artistic performances of the group Fair Play Crew who will present their special program “Comedy Powered by Nature”. In addition, Adam Zdanowicz, the creator of the largest custom bike workshop in Poland, will guide visitors through the exposition of electro-mobile bicycles of the future. Visitors to the Polish Pavilion during the Podlasie Week will also have the opportunity to participate in family workshops conducted by students from Białystok University of Technology and the University of Białystok. Thanks to Podlasie universities, the region will present examples of modern technological solutions, such as Mars rovers, which instead of exploiting distant planets may in the future serve to preserve primeval nature. Visitors will also learn how to build insect houses from natural materials, which is to support the promotion of pro-ecological attitudes.

As part of the project promotion campaign, there was established the XYLOPOLIS website, providing comprehensive information about the exhibition and the progress of works, and at the same time – a tool for environmental education.

Center of Wood Science and Art

After EXPO 2020, a part of Poland’s Pavilion will be transported back to Poland – to the Podlaskie Voivodeship. The construction will serve as an important element for the implementation of a  unique project planned by the region.

– We are working on a plan for spending money in the new financial perspective. And one of the strategic projects that we would like to implement is a center for wood science and art. We intend to involve all the XYLOPPOLIS partners in the center activities – announced Marshal Artur Kosicki.

His declaration appealed to the participants of the conference.