Summary of Poland’s Participation in Expo 2025. Press Conference and Official Gala in Warsaw
Poland concluded its participation in Expo 2025 with a record attendance of over 1.3 million visitors and the prestigious BIE Gold Award for the pavilion design in the category of self-built pavilions. On 17 November, a press conference and gala were held in Warsaw to summarize the results of Poland’s six-month presence at the World Expo in Osaka.
The event brought together representatives of the national government, local authorities, cultural and scientific institutions, business leaders, entrepreneurs, creators involved in preparing Poland’s national presentation, as well as journalists. At the MOXO restaurant in the revitalized Foundry Hall of the Norblin Factory, the key outcomes of Poland’s economic, cultural, tourism, scientific, and regional programs carried out at Expo 2025 were presented.
Poland’s Success at Expo 2025
During the press conference, Michał Jaros, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Development and Technology, emphasized that Expo 2025 became an exceptional platform for showcasing Poland’s economic potential.
– The Expo 2025 World Exhibition team achieved the ambitious goal of presenting Poland on the international stage as a modern, innovative country open to investment, yet deeply rooted in tradition and respect for nature. In Poland Pavilion and on the Expo stages, we organized numerous exhibitions and special events, regional, cultural, scientific programs, as well as concerts featuring the biggest names of the Polish music scene. All these activities highlighted Poland’s diversity – its dynamic character, rich heritage, and creative potential, said Michał Jaros.
The Commissioner General of the Polish Section, Jacek Tomczak, presented concrete results of Poland Pavilion’s activities in Osaka during the World Exhibition from 13 April to 13 October 2025. Both the high number of visitors and the awards granted to the Polish exhibition proved to be a success and a sign of international recognition.
– During this largest and most prestigious promotional, economic, and cultural event in the world, Poland Pavilion was visited by over 1.3 million guests. It was one of the most popular and best-liked national pavilions at Expo 2025. The Bureau International des Expositions jury awarded Poland the Gold Award for its exhibition, appreciating the coherence, creativity, and originality of the concept. A major asset of Poland Pavilion was also the presence of 48 students from Polish universities, who guided Japanese guests through the exhibition in their native language. They were excellently prepared for this task and helped build the atmosphere and credibility of our presentation. The BIE Gold Award for Poland Pavilion and other prizes demonstrate that Poland’s participation in Expo 2025 under the motto ‘Heritage that Drives the Future’ was exceptionally successful. We have proven that Poland’s cultural heritage is a great asset on which we can build our country’s brand, highlighted Jacek Tomczak.
Magdalena Skarżyńska, Vice President of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), focused on the results of cultural and tourism initiatives, cooperation with other national pavilions, and the unique special events.
– Poland presented itself as a country of highly creative and remarkably versatile people. We delivered seven major concerts attracting up to 11,000 spectators, more than 130 concerts in front of Poland Pavilion and on the Expo stages, 552 Chopin recitals, and 300 handicraft workshops. These activities made Poland stand out among other participants. Expo 2025 also featured premieres of LUC Rostkowski’s ‘Symbiosis Symphony,’ Nikola Kołodziejczyk’s ‘Jazz Suite,’ the Asian edition of the Unsound Festival, and the first international presentation of the audiovisual performance ‘The Peasants: Dance Remixed.’ The Japanese audience responded emotionally, spontaneously, and authentically, without their typical restraint. Polish culture has a strong power of attraction, and I am convinced that the programs delivered in Osaka will help increase the number of tourists from Japan, noted Magdalena Skarżyńska.
PAIH Vice President Łukasz Gwiazdowski summarized Poland’s regional program at Expo 2025.
– The Polish Investment and Trade Agency is primarily responsible for promoting Polish enterprises and supporting exporters and investors. We achieved this goal at the World Exhibition in Osaka – we demonstrated the strength of the world’s 20th and Europe’s 6th largest economy. An important element of this image was the series of regional weeks organized in cooperation with as many as 11 voivodeships. They presented their culture, history, craftsmanship, as well as economic potential and investment offers. Sixteen business missions were organized within these programs, representing the sectors with the greatest opportunities in the Japanese market. There was also an opportunity to establish closer cooperation between Polish regions and their Japanese counterparts – for example, the City of Łódź signed an agreement with the City of Osaka. Expo 2025 proved that PAIH, with its new concept for the regional program, can be an attractive partner in building bridges for international cooperation also at the local level, assessed Łukasz Gwiazdowski.
Poland’s Heritage Expo 2025
After the press conference, a ceremonial gala was held to conclude Poland’s participation in Expo 2025, celebrating Poland Pavilion, its exhibition, and the full spectrum of programs delivered during the World Expo in Osaka — including the economic program, tourism and sports promotion, regional promotion, cultural initiatives, science and education outreach, as well as communication and promotional activities.
A key highlight of the evening was honoring the contributors and partners of the project, the Ambassadors of Poland Pavilion, and the students whose work helped shape Poland’s success at Expo 2025. Statuettes and acknowledgements were presented by Members of Parliament, ministry representatives, the Commissioners of the Polish Section at Expo, and the PAIH Management Board to guests representing regions, institutions, organizations, universities, exhibition curators, architects, and the students who, as the Pavilion’s on-site team, won the hearts of Expo visitors over six months. Together, they showcased in Osaka a creative, dynamically developing Poland that harmoniously combines respect for heritage with modernity.
The evening was enriched by performances from artists who played a central role in promoting Polish identity and cultural richness throughout Expo: Andrzej Wierciński, Natalia Kukulska, L.U.C. with Rebel Babel Orchestra, Kosma Król, and the group SWADA. Nikola Kołodziejczyk and his ensemble presented an excerpt from the Jazz Suite, premiered in Osaka during the Polish Jazz in Japan 2025 festival. Thanks to these flawlessly executed and heartfelt performances, the audience was transported back to the stages of Expo 2025, reliving its unforgettable emotions.
Investment in Poland’s International Image
The conference and gala in Warsaw symbolically concluded Poland’s participation in Expo 2025, highlighting the scale of activities carried out over a year and a half of preparations and six months of the exhibition. Poland presented itself at the World Expo as a modern, innovative, and globally open country, building lasting capital in the fields of culture, economy, science, and international relations.
Poland’s participation in Expo 2025 represents an investment in long-term relationships, economic visibility, scientific cooperation, and the country’s international image. It also marks the beginning of future initiatives that will continue to grow thanks to the partnerships and projects launched in Osaka.
