Ireland celebrates its National Pavilion Day with an art exhibition and traditional Irish dance June 17, showcasing its theme of "Relationship between Urban and Rural, Man-made and Natural" to the full.

World Expo is a grand gathering for different civilizations and each Expo has witnessed the development of human civilizations and promoted international exchange, said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya at the Expo Center this morning.

Irish President Mary McAleece said that from the city of Shanghai, she can look into the future. She believed the Expo is a vigorous event and congratulated those who have made contributions to its success.

The ongoing exhibition at the Ireland Pavilion displays sculpture, printmaking, painting, video art and drawing. The artists in this exhibition are at the forefront in Ireland. It will run until June 30.

The architecture of the translucent lantern-like pavilion is intended to symbolize the relationship between urban and rural, man-made and natural.

The exhibition inside sets the creativity of the Irish - their ancient history, vibrant modern culture, educational traditions and technical innovation - into the context of a small, but surprisingly varied and beautiful island.

Visitors will be surprised to discover a cultural continuity dating back to the Stone Age, while enjoying a whole range of contemporary audiovisuals, exhibits, displays, readings, music and performances.