Expo 2000: Memories and long-term consequences of a world premiere in Hanover

Expo 2000: Memories and long-term consequences of a world premiere in Hanover

Hanover in 2000, that was the time when the world came together to develop visions for the future. Klaus Wallbaum, an author in the editorial team, recently asked colleagues about their memories of Expo 2000 in Hanover. Back then, at the tender age of 9, he visited the exhibition center with his parents. Access to the Expo was noticeably easier thanks to the new S-Bahn station in Langenhagen. Despite the excitement, Wallbaum was intimidated by the tall structures on the site and admitted he never climbed the Dutch Pavilion. The cable car and the artificial wind trousers in the Cyclebowl also scared him.

The world exhibition, which took place from June 1st to October 31st, 2000, shaped Hanover like no other event on German soil after the war. A total of 18 million people flocked to the expo, which had the motto “Man, Nature and Technology” and focused on environmental awareness and visions for the future. What is certain is that Hanover was only awarded the contract for the world exhibition in June 1990 with a majority of votes. A referendum showed that 51.5% of citizens approved of the Expo, despite loud protests from the left-wing scene and the city council [myheimat.de].

A mammoth event

The preparations for the Expo were enormous. Around 8 billion DM were invested in the infrastructure to cope with the expected rush of visitors. Bajou patents in the form of colorful pavilions and adventure landscapes - from a bamboo pavilion to an impressive theme park - attracted people. Each day offered around 80 cultural events and the atmosphere on the site was mostly positive and relaxed. On the opening day, around 150,000 visitors flocked to the big gala, where 65,000 helium balloons rose into the sky, printed with the slogan “The future has opened”. The period from the opening to the end of the Expo was an exciting chapter in the history of Hanover.

However, the city also had to overcome challenges. Only 30% of the site was redeveloped and the USA canceled its participation at short notice. However, given the high prices of food and merchandise on site, it was normal for visitor numbers to exceed expectations on peak days. Expo 2000, the first world exhibition in Germany and registered with the Bureau International des Expositions, was not just a financial adventure - the costs amounted to 3.5 billion DM with revenues of only 2.4 billion.

Aftermath and considerations

Wallbaum remembers his unique experiences, which differed significantly from those of his editorial colleagues. These had either lived in other cities or were younger. The editorial team plans to examine the effects of the Expo hype on newcomers and analyze the long-term consequences today. The Expo Park Hannover, which now lives on as an IT and media location on the former Olympic exhibition grounds, still bears witness to this flourishing time. There are also subsequent uses for the pavilions, while some have been demolished or are being used as event centers. In retrospect, the German Pavilion was also an important place: it served at times as an emergency shelter for refugees.

The legacy of Expo 2000 is reflected in the memories of those who were there and in the changes the event brought to Hanover. Klaus Meine once said: “The planet of visions is calling tonight.” And yes, these visions left a lasting impression on the city.