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About EXPO 2016 Antalya

For over a century, EXPOs have offered a global platform of exchange for new inventions, practices and ideas. They offer a unique ground for international dialogue, public diplomacy and international cooperation. Driven by the same goals, Horticultural EXPOs are events that unite humanity in the quest to secure a green living space.

Turkey’s first international Horticultural A1 category exhibition EXPO 2016 Antalya took place for 191 days from 23 April 2016 to 30 October 2016. With the collaboration of 58 official and non-official international participants, the exhibition was a multi-cultural experience for over 4.5 million visitors. Creating a Global Environment of communication and peace, EXPO 2016 Antalya aimed to revive a collective consciousness, in tune with nature and sensitive to the needs of a green world.

Organised by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which is an intergovernmental organisation in charge of overseeing and regulating World Expos since 1931 and The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), which support, promote and serve the needs of horticulturalists globally and which mend the bond between man and nature, EXPO 2016 Antalya was the largest international organisation to ever have taken place in Turkey.

 

Today, ecological degradation is one of the largest threats posed onto humankind’s future generations. In response to this, EXPO 2016 Antalya has chosen its theme “Flowers and Children” based on its philosophy “A Green World for Future Generations” that relates to the fundamental need for enduring ecological and human life. The theme that has generated the motto “Cultivating the Future” has been divided into subthemes:  Bio History, Bio Diversity, Sustainability and Green City.


To find green solutions for our future generations, EXPO 2016 Antalya was a platform of exchange and a forum to examine environmental issues from the perspectives of culture, history and education. Environmental issues such as global warming, ecological farming, conservation of biodiversity, sustainability and food security were addressed.          

The exhibition aimed to raise awareness with venues, events and active participation through interaction and cooperation. With conferences, exhibitions, symposiums attended by international experts and academicians, as well as national and international congresses, panels, conferences, seminars and workshops the exposition became a nexus for cultural, educational and artistic interaction.

 

Attractions on Site

The EXPO was held on a 112-hectare site at Aksu to the east of Antalya. Some of the attractions which EXPO 2016 Antalya features were:

  • Over 50 Country Gardens exhibiting their own horticultural diversity
  • Institutional Gardens
  • The World’s Largest Mosaiculture Plant Sculptures Area
  • The Agriculture and Biodiversity Museum
  • The Children’s Science and Technology Centre
  • The Turkey Biodiversity Theme Trail
  • The EXPO Greenhouse
  • The EXPO WaterMill
  • Children’s Island with activities aimed at educational play and fun
  • The EXPO Square and Tower, symbolizing the historical Hadrian’s Gate from the Roman period, an important symbol of Antalya
  • Culture and Arts Building and Street
  • A Convention Centre with the capacity to host 6,500 people
  • Two Amphitheatres with a capacity of 5,000 and 800 respectively
  • The Activity Field, an outdoor activity area to host events for families and children
  • EXPO Lake
  • EXPO Hill
  • EXPO Forest
  • The Peony Terrace, inspired by and named after the symbolic flower of EXPO 2016 Antalya
  • Restaurants in buildings inspired by traditional Turkish houses

 

Events Programme

At the essence of the theme, subthemes and philosophy of EXPO 2016 Antalya lay one basic motive, to increase awareness and sensibility towards “green living”. In the aim to convey the message of “green” as well as to stimulate “green thinking” in the minds and lives of as many people as possible, the cultural events and programmes organised at EXPO 2016 Antalya were a successful tool which contacted millions of people around the world.


191 days of EXPO 2016 Antalya (in Turkish & English)

 

The exhibition’s theme “Flowers and Children” and its philosophy “A Green World For Future Generations” generated an events strategy which had a high emphasis on educational activities for children. Additionally, in order to spread the message of “green living” to parents as well as the whole community, the secondary emphasis was made on art & cultural events.

The exhibition aimed to raise “green” awareness with venues and events, involving the active participation of visitors and cooperation among professionals. With conferences, exhibitions, symposiums attended by international experts and academicians, as well as national and international congresses, panels, conferences, seminars and workshops the exposition became a nexus for cultural, educational and artistic interaction. Artists, singers, performers of all fields, genres, generations and cultures were invited to EXPO 2016 Antalya, turning the exhibition into a point of union for people from all walks of life, of all ages and cultures.

The great effort given to the events programs has proven its success, with over 4.5 million visitors and millions of people around the world who have connected with EXPO 2016 Antalya through social media. Art, cultural diversity and “green” have inspired, workshops and educational activities have educated and thousands of events have entertained visitors from around the world. Most important of all, EXPO 2016 Antalya became a mind stimulating event for children, familiarising them with green living and conveying environmental awareness.