Poles have participated in world exhibitions since the very beginning of their history. Initially, in connection with non-existence of an independent Polish state, in the „colors” of the invader states, later already as a participant state. They achieved many significant successes there. Among others, the following were awarded during EXPO exhibitions: Henryk Rodakowski, Jan Matejko, Józef Chełmoński, Józef Mehoffer or Stanisław Wyspiański, and also Polish architects: P. Frycz (for the design of the Infant Jesus Hospital in Warsaw), L. Krasiński (for the plan of the National Library) and L. Marconi (for residential homes designs). In total, Poles have won at EXPO no less than 78 Grand Prix and dozens of gold, silver and bronze medals and honorary diplomas.
After World War II, Poland for political reasons did not participate in world exhibitions until 1992, when it took part in the EXPO’92 in Seville – however this appearance had symbolic character).
In 1998, during the exhibition in Lisbon (theme: Oceans – A Heritage for the Future), Poland prepared a display – modest, albeit enjoying considerable interest of the visitors – under the slogan „Poland – the Amber Coast”.
At the World Exhibition EXPO 2000 in Hannover (theme: Humankind - Nature - Technology) Poland for the first time in history presented itself in a specially designed and individually erected Pavilion and achieved a spectacular promotional success. The Polish program at the EXPO 2000 – under the slogan ”Be faithful, go” – as a whole, the exhibition display, the Polish Pavilion, regional presentations, cultural programs and the mascot, and the Polish Day at the EXPO in the first place, won the highest praise of experts and enjoyed extraordinary interest of the visitors (fourth place for 172 countries participating in the Exhibition). Overall, the Polish display during EXPO 2000 was visited by over 3.2 million visitors out of the total 18 million visits during the 5 months of duration of the event.
Poland’s participation in the last World Exhibition EXPO 2005 in Aichi, Japan (theme: “Nature’s Wisdom”) ended with a similar great promotional success. This was shown by the long queues to the Polish Pavilion (during the entire Exhibition visited by almost 1.5 m people) and enthusiastic opinions of the visitors. The Polish display (under the slogan „See the Beauty”) and the Polish program at the EXPO 2005 were also very well received by the Japanese elites and media.
The objective set by the Polish government for participation in the EXPO 2005 was also achieved. The number of Japanese tourists coming to Poland in 2006 rose violently, and the volume of Japanese investments in 2006 exceeds their total investment in all previous years taken together.
Poland shall also be presented at the Specialized Exhibition EXPO 2008 in Zaragoza.
Poland is also an official candidate to organize the Specialized Exhibition EXPO in 2012. The proposed by Poland theme of the exhibition is: „The Culture of Leisure in World Economies”. For the place of organization of the Exhibition the city of Wrocław was selected. Other candidates to host this Exhibition are Korea (city: Yeosu, theme: The Living Ocean and Coast: Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities) and Morocco (city: Tangiers, theme: Routes of the World, Cultures Connecting. For a More United World). Selection of the organizer of EXPO 2012 shall take place in November 2007.
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