Thuringia presents itself at Expo 2025 in Osaka

From 16 to 19 June 2025, Thuringia will present itself in the German Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. With a diverse stage programme, interviews, film and photo exhibits as well as numerous hands-on activities, the state presents its best side: as a forward-looking location with unique nature, innovative business, groundbreaking research and, of course, plenty of culture and culinary delights.

Thuringia scores points in Japan with technological, economic and social circular innovations. In the German Pavilion – which looks at approaches to the circular economy under the title “Wa! Germany” – the Free State of Thuringia presents the sustainable textile fibre Lyohemp® in the “Circular Fashion” exhibition area and the bio-based and biodegradable hot-melt adhesive Caremelt® in the “Circular Economy” exhibition. Both were developed by the Thuringian Institute for Textile and Plastics Research (TITK).

Lyohemp^® is a cellulose fibre made with the pulp from leftover hemp. This makes it even more ecologically and economically efficient than fibres made from wood-based pulp. Hemp is an undemanding and fast-growing crop that requires much less water and is therefore used as a more environmentally friendly alternative to cotton.

Caremelt^® is a multi-award-winning bio-based and biodegradable hot-melt adhesive that is not only suitable for short-lived products such as shopping bags, diapers or cardboard boxes: thanks to this Thuringian innovation, adhesive bonds in shoes, textiles, wood, metal or furniture parts as well as books can become biodegradable in the future. This means that the volume of microplastics being dispersed into the environment is significantly reduced.

The “AGATHE – Aging in the Community” programme is represented in the “Circular City Gallery”. This initiative by the Thuringian Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Labour and Family promotes the participation of older people and sets new standards in the field of social sustainability. AGATHE started in 2021 with 14 projects in districts and independent cities and is to be expanded throughout Thuringia and beyond.

During the Thuringian State Days from 16 to 19 June 2025, the German Pavilion will be dedicated to the Free State of Thuringia. A varied programme, ranging from cultural performances to interactive elements and informative presentations, reflects the diversity of Thuringia in all its facets. On the stage, well-known presenter and Apolda native Marco Schreyl will provide a lively performance.

Two famous ambassadors will represent Thuringia in Osaka: Johann Sebastian Bach and the garden gnome. Numerous garden gnomes from the traditional “gnome hometown” of Gräfenroda are travelling to Osaka for this purpose. These little figures act as representatives of Thuringia and demonstrate that even after 100 years, this distinctively Thuringian craft is alive and well. The iconic figurines can also be purchased in the German Pavilion shop throughout the entire Expo period.

World-famous native of Thuringia Johann Sebastian Bach – who is very popular in Japan – appears as another charismatic ambassador of the Free State. Born in Eisenach, he spent almost half of his life in Thuringia. There are few other composers that have influenced as many other musicians as he has. Embodied by an actor on site, he interacts with Expo visitors, is available for selfies and accompanies the stage programme as a host. Bach can also be experienced digitally: by means of QR codes, he interactively guides guests through Thuringia’s rich culture, exciting future-oriented topics and culinary specialties.

Of course, culinary delights are a must-have at the Thuringian take-over of the German Pavilion. Be it Thuringian bratwurst or the famous Thuringian “Kloß” dumpling – at the “Oishii” (Japanese for “delicious”) restaurant, visitors can delight in traditional dishes as well as new creations in keeping with the cuisine of the Expo host country.

While the restaurant visitors enjoy Thuringian specialties, the audience in front of the stage can listen to a colourful musical programme: cover band “Golden Mary” from Weimar performs several times a day and brings a colourful mix of international hits from swing to pop to the German Pavilion at Expo 2025. No less entertaining will be the performance by pianist Felix Reuter, who will present works by famous Thuringian Johann Sebastian Bach on his piano. With his programme “That darn Bach”, the artist creates rousing musical entertainment.

Thus, Thuringia succeeds in presenting itself at Expo 2025 in Osaka as a modern, innovative, tradition-conscious and nature-loving state. From music, films and images to digital and analogue historical personalities to discussions with Thuringian representatives on site – come by and see for yourself!

For all those who cannot make it to Osaka, social media offers a good way to experience the Thuringia Expo presentation up close: there will be plenty of live impressions on Facebook and Instagram via @dasistthueringen.

German Pavilion

German Pavillon Indoor Area (© Alexandre Olivieri Takography)
German Pavillon Restaurant (© Alexandre Olivieri Takography)
German Pavilion (Visualiation) (© MIR_LAVA_facts and fiction)
German Pavilion Top View (© German Pavilion / Hotaka Matsumura)
German Pavilion Outdoor Area (© German Pavilion / Hotaka Matsumura)
German Pavilion Indoor Area (© German Pavilion / Hotaka Matsumura)
German Pavilion Indoor Area (© German Pavilion / Hotaka Matsumura)
German Pavilion Indoor Area (© German Pavilion / Hotaka Matsumura)
German Pavilion Indoor Area (© German Pavilion / Hotaka Matsumura)

Thuringian Themes

Gnome – Waving cat (© Das ist Thüringen)
Lyohemp^® (© That’s Thuringia / Malte Jäger)
Lyohemp^® fibres (© That’s Thuringia / Malte Jäger)
Osaka Gnome (© Zwergstatt)
Osaka Gnome "Bert" (© Zwergstatt)
Osaka Gnome "Berta" (© Zwergstatt)
Gnome "Bert" (© That’s Thuringia)
Gnome "Berta" (© That’s Thuringia)
Gnome "Bert" – Blank (© That’s Thuringia / Michael Reichel)