All along, world expositions have been far more than a laboratory for architectural experiments. They are seismometers of a global society that is growing ever closer together, a reflection of the Zeitgeist, and, in the best-case scenario, a projection into the future. But where do we stand today? Is the Expo pavilion outdated per se in an era in which information is ever-present on the Internet? Or are they in demand more than ever by a crowd that wants to experience the global event with all five senses? (Frank Kaltenbach)