Małopolska energized at Expo 2025 in Osaka – A week of tradition, music, and innovation

Under the motto “Małopolska – For Those Who Feel More”, one of Poland’s most renowned regions presented in Poland Pavilion its impressive tourist and cultural assets, as well as its modern, innovative economic potential.

August 11 – the official opening day of the Małopolska Week – also marked Poland’s Mountain Day at the Expo. The timing of the region’s presentation was inspired by Japan’s national holiday celebrated annually on the third Monday of July – Mountain Day. Polish mountains, and in particular the Tatra range, are becoming increasingly popular destinations for Japanese tourists. Zakopane, with its wooden architecture and the unique atmosphere of the Podhale region, offers experiences that are difficult to find anywhere else in Europe – something the Małopolska Region Week at Expo 2025 clearly proved. The presentations in Osaka also highlighted that Małopolska is a region distinguished by its wealth of UNESCO heritage sites – a particularly important factor, as Japanese tourists are known for choosing their travel destinations based on this very criterion.

The program of this special week in Poland Pavilion in Osaka, held from August 10 to 16, was designed so that every visitor, regardless of age or interests, could find something for themselves.

Discovering Małopolska’s crafts in the workshop zone

Throughout the week, handicraft workshops were held in front of Poland Pavilion, giving visitors the chance to step into the world of Małopolska’s traditional crafts. Participants discovered embroidery techniques (“Painted with a Needle”), learned how to make traditional paper flowers (“Bouquets of Tradition”), and created their own beads, a centuries-old element of the region’s folk jewelry (“Beads Straight from the Heart of Małopolska”).

During the “Toy World of Stryszawa” workshops, under the guidance of sculptor-artists, visitors to Poland Pavilion hand-painted wooden toys characteristic of the Małopolska region – charming little horses and birds. They also had the chance to watch live woodcarving demonstrations. The “Podhale Art on Glass” workshops offered a unique opportunity to try their hand at the traditional glass painting technique, a hallmark of the Podhale region.

At the end of the workshops, participants were able to take their creations home — a wonderful keepsake and, at the same time, an invitation to visit Małopolska and experience its traditions more closely.

Handicraft workshops, as a form of art therapy, also reflect Poland Pavilion’s interpretation of the theme “Saving Lives” at Expo 2025. They represent Poland’s voice in the discussion on mental well-being, while simultaneously aligning with the motto of Poland’s presence at the World Expo in Osaka: “Poland. Heritage that Drives the Future.”

The magic of salt and dance – demonstrations and performances

A major attraction for visitors to Poland Pavilion was the “Magic of Salt” demonstrations. Talented sculptors transformed blocks of salt from the Wieliczka Mine into unique works of art right before the audience’s eyes.

“We brought our unique salt from Wieliczka to Osaka in the form of large blocks, which we then used to create sculptures inspired by Japanese culture, such as warriors and cherry blossoms. In this way, we aimed to combine our salt-carving tradition with elements of Japanese culture. We also brought special pieces of salt so that Japanese visitors could taste our ‘white gold’ straight from the Wieliczka Salt Mine,” the artists explained.

At the “Scented Salt” workshops, visitors to Poland Pavilion created their own bath salts using Wieliczka salt and regional herbs.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of the first sites in the world to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978 – gained special prominence at Expo 2025 in Osaka. This underground city attracts millions of tourists from around the world, offering a fascinating journey through salt-carved chambers, salt lakes, and the monumental St. Kinga’s Chapel.

The history and symbolism of the Wieliczka Salt Mine were strongly featured in Poland Pavilion during the presentation of the Małopolska Region. For this occasion, miner-sculptor Jan Banaś created a unique sculpture – “The Crown of Polish Kings.” Made from Wieliczka salt, the artwork emphasizes the mine’s inseparable connection with Polish history, referencing the millennium of the coronation of Bolesław Chrobry, Poland’s first king. The presentation of “The Crown of Polish Kings” offered a unique opportunity to celebrate the millennium in Poland Pavilion and introduce visitors to the history of Poland.

During Małopolska Week, Poland Pavilion and stages at Expo 2025 in Osaka came alive with music and dance. The Mystkowianie Regional Ensemble enthusiastically and passionately performed folk dances of the Pogórzanie and Lachy Sądeckie, as well as Poland’s most recognizable national dance – the Krakowiak.

During the dance lessons, the audience also had the opportunity to try their hand at the polonaise and polka. The dance, combined with the live concert “Carpathian Spirit” performed by a five-member band from the Mystkowianie ensemble, immersively introduced viewers to the authentic, vibrant atmosphere of Małopolska.

Captivating concerts: from highland folk to classical music and rock

Małopolska has inspired musicians for centuries. At Expo 2025 in Osaka, the region showcased the full spectrum of its musical richness.

On the outdoor stages at Poland Pavilion, the traditional sounds of the Małopolska Carpathians were brought to life by Kapela Saga – a family ensemble from the heart of the Gorce Mountains, dedicated to passing on their musical heritage from generation to generation. At the World Expo in Osaka, the group also presented their innovative project “Saga Gooroleska – Highland Voice of the New Wave”, which blends traditional highlander music with modern rock influences.

Evenings with Chopin and Małopolska folk music

A highlight of Małopolska Region Week at Poland Pavilion during Expo 2025 were the “Chopin Intimate” concerts held on August 13 and 14 at 8:00 PM in the Pavilion’s concert hall, featuring Jakub Kuszlik, laureate of the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition. The program included solo interpretations of Chopin’s masterpieces as well as chamber renditions of his piano concertos. The concerts also featured works by composers such as Stanisław Moniuszko and Józef Władysław Krogulski, who drew inspiration from Polish folk traditions. Hosting a pianist of this caliber was a great honor for Poland Pavilion and a true celebration for visitors. The concerts attracted significant public interest, drawing a large audience of music lovers.

Folk music concerts performed by the Mystkowianie Regional Ensemble, supported by a string quartet from the Kraków Philharmonic, took place under the motto “Feel More with Małopolska Region”. Gracefully blending the richness of folk traditions with classical sounds, the performances captivated hundreds of listeners on the Expo stages.

Małopolska aims to be recognized worldwide

“We are delighted that Małopolska was active and visible at Expo 2025. We placed a strong emphasis on tourism, an area in which we are heavily investing. That’s why we aimed to ensure that as many visitors to Poland Pavilion as possible learned about the many attractions awaiting them in Małopolska and the remarkable heritage sites from our region listed as UNESCO World Heritage. We also hope that Małopolska’s presence at Expo 2025 in Osaka will attract investors and provide access to new technologies. As a region, we want to be recognized in Japan and around the world,” said Łukasz Smółka, Marshal of the Małopolska Region.

Kraków – the capital of Małopolska and former capital of Poland – had its special day during Małopolska Region Week at Poland Pavilion. On this occasion, the famous hejnał was played every hour on the Pavilion’s terrace, echoing the tradition of the trumpet call that sounds daily from the tower of St. Mary’s Church in Kraków.

During Małopolska Week, Poland Pavilion welcomed a total of 28,219 visitors.

• 1,548 people took part in the workshops.
• 1,050 attended the musical recitals.
• 100 people listened to the two concerts featuring Jakub Kuszlik.
• 800 spectators watched the performances on the outdoor stages.
• Approximately 3,850 guests visited the restaurant at Poland Pavilion.

The Małopolska Region presented itself at Expo 2025 with energy, grandeur, grace, and a big heart.