Hungary Pavilion

Gmbc, the centerpiece of the Hungary pavilion, is able to right itself from any position. [Provided to China Daily]

SHANGHAI - Thirty-six years after the introduction of the Rubik's Cube, Hungary will present the world with another ingenious invention: a geometric shape called Gmbc, which will form the centerpiece of its pavilion at Expo.

"Gmbc is the first known homogenous object with one stable and one unstable equilibrium point," said Andras Huszty, special envoy of Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai. "This makes it able to right itself from any initial position immediately, just like a tumbler."

Gmbc is being used by the Hungarian government as a symbol of the way the country manages to bounce back from adversity.

Hungary is appearing at its 23rd Expo in a 1000-sq-m pavilion at Zone C of the Expo garden. The pavilion maps the growth of a city and the dynamics of change, letting visitors experience these changes sensually, courtesy of 600 moving "sound boxes" - wooden rods that hang from the ceiling like stalactites and create waves of sound.

The hanging rods will make visitors feel as if they are walking in a forest.

The inside of the pavilion is illuminated by natural light during the day, while at night it transforms into a starlit firmament when the lights inside the rods are turned on.

But Gmbc, which weighs 2 tons, is the real star of the show. It was created by professors Gbor Domokos and Pter Vrkonyi almost four decades after sculptor and professor of architecture Erno Rubik redefined the word "toy" with his best-selling puzzle.

"This exhibition is more about making visitors think than trying to entertain them in the traditional way," said Huszty.

He said visitors might compare Gmbc with the Chinese concept of yin and yang because "both symbolize the pursuit of harmony and balance. This is what Hungarians wish to realize in urban development as well".

The pavilion will open on May 1 with a number of programs aimed at bringing Hungary's long history into focus.

Nine days later, the country will join a continental pageant dubbed Europe Parade.

Hungary will be represented at the parade by Pcs, its fifth-largest city and one of the European Capitals of Culture in 2010.

Hungary's contribution to the parade will include a replica of the city's famous cathedral and performances by the Mecsek Folk Dance Ensemble.

Hungary will celebrate its national day on Aug 22 with an evening gala at the Expo Center's main auditorium.

This event will cover the whole spectrum of Hungarian music, from traditional folk to contemporary.

China Daily