Just 54 days till the Kingdom of Tonga showcases its unique culture and traditions to an expected 70 million people at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China from 1 May – 31 October, 2010. HRH Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita is expected to be at the opening of the Expo and will also be present at Tonga’s National Day on Monday 2 August, 2010.

The stage design was finalised in January, with Tonga using a replica 10 metre humpback whale, a life size replica of the Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Trilithon and life sized rows of Tongan dancers performing Lakalaka (proclaimed by UNESCO as a “Masterpiece of Humanity”) for the King. Tongan exhibition staff were also selected in January, including Mr Anthony Cocker from the Tonga Visitors Bureau (Ministry of Tourism), Mr Tevita Lautaha from the Ministry of Labour and Commerce, a number of handicraft demonstrators and representatives nominated by the organising committee.

With the opening of the Expo drawing closer, Tonga’s preparation is continuing. Items for exhibition including tapa, carvings, woven baskets and artifacts were shipped in February. Also included in the February shipment were items destined for the Pacific Pavilion Gift Shop in Shanghai, including fans, carvings, wall hangings, place mat sets and other items produced by local handicraft outlets in in Vava’u and Tongatapu. Auditions for dancers for Tonga’s National Dance Troupe to Shanghai took place in February and the selection of dancers is still continuing. The dancers will perform on Tonga’s National Day in August.

Other elements of Tongan culture, history and trade will be displayed an LCD screen. Anyone with images for the LCD screen should contact Manatu Vivili (manatupv@tvb.gov.to) or drop their image CD into the Tonga Visitors Bureau. The final LCD images will be selected in the coming weeks.