Serbia at International Exhibitions Through the Centuries: From 157 Awards in Antwerp to 200,000 Visitors in Osaka

For nearly a century and a half, Serbia has been a prominent participant in International Exhibitions and a proud witness to their origin and evolution. The country's first recorded participation dates back exactly 140 years, in 1885, at an exhibition in the Belgian city of Antwerp, where Serbia won an impressive 157 gold, silver, and bronze medals for its exhibited products. This was an extraordinary achievement for the young European kingdom and a clear sign that Serbia had something valuable to offer the world, from agriculture and craftsmanship to art and innovation.

At the 1900 World Expo in Paris, Serbia presented a pavilion designed in the Serbian-Byzantine architectural style, resembling a church, created by architect Milan Kapetanović. The participation was crowned with 19 gold, 69 silver, and 98 bronze medals. In addition to traditional products such as wine, food, textiles, and minerals, Serbia also took the opportunity to showcase its innovations. The Expo plaque for the invention of an analog hydraulic computer for solving differential equations – the hydrointegrator – was awarded to its creator, renowned Serbian mathematician Mihailo Petrović Alas. This invention is considered a forerunner of modern cybernetics. Serbia’s artistic contribution was also recognized – painter Paja Jovanović received a gold medal for his monumental painting The Coronation of Emperor Dušan.

During the Cold War period, Serbia participated under the banner of the former Yugoslavia. At Expo 1958 in Brussels, attention was drawn to the modernist glass-and-metal pavilion, while the unique seven-module pavilion at Expo 1967 in Montreal showcased the nation's infrastructural and architectural highlights, including the Djerdap Dam on the Danube and the Gazela Bridge in Belgrade, both still under construction at the time. The Specialised Expo in Vancouver in 1986 featured the logo Man in Motion, designed by celebrated Serbian painter and member of the Mediala art group, Vladimir Veličković.

After a decades-long hiatus, Serbia returned to the world stage as an independent nation with a memorable presence at Expo 2010 in Shanghai. The Serbian pavilion, inspired by motifs from the traditional Pirot carpet, was one of the most visited. Five years later, at Expo 2015 in Milan, in line with the exhibition’s theme, Serbia focused on food. It used the opportunity to promote its rich culinary heritage and agricultural production, as well as innovations in the food sector.

At the Expo 2020 in Dubai, Serbia made over 10,000 business contacts, while more than 1,200 Serbian entrepreneurs showcased their work to global partners. The Serbian pavilion attracted over one million visitors. The focus of Serbia’s presentation in Dubai was on science, technological innovation, creative industries, and tourism – once again affirming the country’s rightful place on the global map of creativity and development.

At the ongoing Expo 2025 in Osaka, 165 participants are showcasing their inventions and products, including Serbia – the only country from the Western Balkans with its national pavilion. In line with the theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives, Serbia is being presented as an innovative and creative nation in the Japanese city until October 13. Symbolically named The Society of Play, the Serbian pavilion has attracted significant attention since its opening. It has been recognized as one of the five best European pavilions in Osaka.

The pavilion’s design and interior emphasize the importance of play, with a special lighting effect illustrating the impact of Tesla’s inventions. Alongside its eye-catching construction, built with innovative eco-friendly materials, and its living green facade, the pavilion features an interactive exhibit that introduces visitors, through playful engagement, to key figures from Serbian history and their achievements. These include interactive portrayals of Tesla, Pupin, and Milanković, highlighting how their childhood curiosity and playfulness shaped their innovative minds. It also presents the official mascots of Expo 2027 Belgrade, which are soon to be named.

As Belgrade prepares to host Expo 2027, a look back reveals a rich tradition of showcasing Serbian creativity and a strong commitment to promoting the nation’s culture and art. From gold medals in Antwerp to cutting-edge technologies in Osaka, Serbia continues to tell its story to the world – boldly, authentically, and with pride.