Oceania in Serbia: Nauru on it’s way to Expo 2027 Belgrade
The Republic of Nauru, an island nation at the heart of Oceania, is among the 130 countries that will present their interpretation of the main theme, “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All,” in Belgrade from May 15 to August 15, 2027.
Serbia and Nauru established official diplomatic relations on September 25, 2019, and Expo 2027 will serve as an excellent platform for further strengthening cooperation between the two countries across various fields.
“We are delighted that during the 93 days of Expo 2027 Belgrade, visitors will have a unique and rare privilege to ‘travel’ without a passport to Nauru – an island nation of remarkable beauty in the Pacific Ocean – and to discover its cultural and sporting potential. We thank the Republic of Nauru for its trust and invite other countries from Oceania to join us in a global celebration of play as an essential link that connects and unites humanity,” said Danilo Jerinić, CEO of EXPO 2027 doo Belgrade.
The most popular sports in Nauru are Australian rules football, weightlifting, and powerlifting, alongside traditional sports in which tribes or communities, such as Ibibo, Itsibweb, and Ekaraduga, compete against one another. Nauru’s most internationally renowned athlete is Mr. Marcus Stephen, a former President of Nauru, who, as a professional weightlifter, won seven gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and one silver medal at the World Championships for his country. He was also the first Nauruan to win gold at the 1990 Commonwealth Games and became known as the Nauruan Golden Boy.
In 2028, Nauru will host an international sporting event for the first time in its history – the Micronesian Games – which will also mark the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence.
Nauru also boasts a rich cultural heritage. Among its best-known traditional dances are Ekawada, Dogoropwa, Itti, and Anabar amin keramon, and the country is also known for historical ballads related to World War II.
Often referred to as the world’s smallest island state, Nauru made its debut at the International Exhibitions at Expo 1985 in Tsukuba and has since regularly participated in World and Specialised Expos. It became a member of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in 1997.
Expo 2027 Belgrade will be the first International Exhibition ever held in the Western Balkans and the largest event Serbia has organized in its history to date. The exhibition is expected to attract more than four million visitors from around the world.