~Transmitting World Peace from Tottori~ The 'Pergola' from the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Relocated to Tottori Sand Dunes Children's Park!

Tottori Prefecture participated in the "Osaka-Kansai Expo" by exhibiting the "Tottori Prefecture Zone," which recreated the "Tottori Sand Dunes" with sand from the actual dunes, and by forming the "Sand Alliance" with seven pavilions related to sand, including the Jordan Pavilion, thereby deepening friendships with participating regions and jointly promoting the Expo. Approximately six months have passed since the Expo concluded. Recently, a new exchange born from the Expo has led to the donation of a 'pergola' (shade structure) that was part of the UAE Pavilion to our prefecture. This connection stems from the use of Chizu cedar from Chizu Town, Tottori Prefecture, as the material for the pergola. An unveiling ceremony was held on March 31st at the Tottori Sand Dunes Children's Park.

Scenes from the Unveiling Ceremony The unveiling ceremony was attended by many, including Governor Hirai, representatives from the businesses that worked on installing the pergola at the UAE Pavilion and its relocation to our prefecture, and children from Tottori Dai-3 Kindergarten. Governor Hirai began his address by saying, "We have received a precious gift, the pergola, from the UAE. This is a symbol of the friendship born at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and we hope it will be used with care. Wars are happening in the world right now. From Japan, let us all pray for peace in the UAE and around the world. This pergola is a symbol of that prayer. To the children here, when you grow up, I hope you will become friends with countries all over the world and hold hands. When you step out from under the pergola, the sky opens up wide, doesn't it? It's a 'par-sora' (sky). Please play to your heart's content!" he said with a touch of humor.

Next, a message from His Excellency Shihab Ahmed Al Fahim, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Japan, who was unfortunately unable to attend due to a flight cancellation, was read aloud. The message stated, "This pergola is a testament to the friendship between Tottori Prefecture and the UAE, and we sincerely hope that the friendly relations between our regions will continue to develop." Additionally, Shigeru Ishiba, Member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Japan-UAE Parliamentary Friendship League, sent a message stating, "We sincerely pray that this relocation of the pergola will serve as an opportunity to further deepen the 'bond of friendship connected by sand' between Tottori Prefecture and the UAE for the future." Finally, the children of Tottori Dai-3 Kindergarten performed a song, saying, "Whether it's a hot day or a rainy day, we're always happy when the pergola is here!" Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, balloons shaped like doves, symbols of peace, were released into the sky. The venue was filled with celebration and smiles, marking the birth of a new legacy that symbolizes friendship.

About the Pergola The pergola, installed as part of the exterior of the UAE Pavilion, was constructed using solid Chizu cedar lumber from Tottori Prefecture. Mr. Harunobu Sakamoto, president of "Sakamoto Co., Ltd.," a wood processing company from Chizu Town that handled the on-site construction, proposed the reuse of the pergola in Tottori Prefecture after the Expo's closure. This proposal led to its donation to Tottori Prefecture as a symbol of the friendly relationship with the UAE.

UAE Pavilion Overview With the theme "Earth to Ether," the pavilion's structure itself told a story. It featured distinctive pillars reaching up to 16 meters high and utilized 2 million palm leaf stalks that would have otherwise been discarded as infill material. The exterior design was inspired by the Japanese concept of "Satoyama" (a mosaic of human settlements and natural landscapes). Through common elements like the pergola's timber, it aimed to express a connection with the Expo's symbol, the "Great Roof Ring," and featured native Japanese trees such as oak and Japanese red pine.