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1933 Fair
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FOREIGN EXHIBITS

In keeping with the forward-looking spirit of the World's Fair, most of the participating countries combined modern day scientific accomplishments with the older arts. Some nations exhibited officially in response the the President's invitation; others displayed their arts, sciences, industries or entertainments.

Japan

The Japanese Pavillion was a typical example of Japanese architecture. An army of workmen and engineers came over from Japan bringing their own tools and materials to construct the building. The exhibits showed what Japan was doing in the peaceful arts—militarism was not part of the exhibits.

A typical Japanese tea garden was one of the features of the exhibit. Geisha girls in native costumes added to the charm of the tea drinking ceremony as practiced in Japan.

Raw Silk, the product of the silk worm, was the pride of Japan. The worms were reared and fed in rural districts of Japan under extreme sanitary conditions. The full-grown worm spins a silk cocoon. The process of making silk, from the cocoon to the finished article, was shown by experts in the silk industry.

Italy

Italy's building was in the shape of a giant airplane, symbolic of the flight of 24 Italian planes from Rome to Italy under command of General Balbo. Exhibit halls were in the "wings" and "body", and in the front was a tall tower in the shape of the Fascist insignia, the bundle of lictor's rods and the mace.

Inside the building, the Italian exhibits told the story of achievements in engineering, physics, medicine, geography, astronomy, agriculture, shipping, and aviation. The 450 Italian exhibits occupied space not only in the national pavilion, but also the Hall of Science, Adler Planetarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry in Jackson Park. When the fair was over, the exhibits were given to the Museum of Science and Industry as a gift from Italy.

Sweden

In the Swedish Pavilion, with its unique architecture, was displayed an exhibit of modern applied art, textiles, and glassware. A movement began in 1870 to encourage handicraft and to awaken the country to the ugliness of the manufactured goods they were using. This movement gradually achieved a revolution in public taste and the uniting of art and manufacture.

China

Occupying its own shrine, was a 50 inches high carved jade representation of a seven-story Chinese temple. It was carved out of a single block of jade weighing 18,000 pounds. It took 10 years and a small army of men to carve this great work of art.

Foochow Lacquer Ware, made by Fukien Children's Home, exhibited in the Chinese building. H. F. Tung, one of the founders of the home and chief delegate to the Century of Progress, is shown in this picture.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic displayed a model, one-thirtieth actual size, of the proposed Columbus Memorial Lighthouse. The light was a tribute to the discoverer of America, and the remains of Columbus were to be buried in the heart of the monument near Santo Domingo. It was designed by J. L. Gleave of England, winner of a worldwide architectural competition. [Note: It would be nearly 60 years before the lighthouse was completed.]

Czechoslovakia

The chief aim of the Czechoslovakian pavillion was to give a cross-section of the art, culture, and industry of Czechoslovakia. As an adjunct, the Czechoslovak Cafe served a variety of Bohemian dishes.

Egypt

Egypt exhibited antiquities resurrected from the Valley of the Kings. Its bazaars were alive with the sights, sounds and smells that attracted travelers to Egypt.

Other Countries

On the tracks outside the Travel and Transport building were two famous trains. Great Britain displayed the speedy Royal Scot; Mexico displayed its Presidential train with a collection of Monte Alban Jewels. Inside the Travel and Transport building were exhibits from Canada, the Irish Free State, and the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg.

Denmark had exhibits in the Hall of Science. There were also medical exhibits from several other countries in the Hall of Science. Norway sent her training ship Sorlandet, which was moored at the southern tip of Northerly island..

The Moroccan Village reproduced the atmosphere of Morocco with wandering nomads, dancing girls, and beggars. Shops were fillled with rugs, metals, and pottery which were the principle industries of Morocco.

Sources

Official Guide Book of the Fair,1933.
Official World's Fair Weekly:
Vol. 1 No. 3, "A Jaunt Around the World at A Century of Progress."
Vol. 1 No. 5, "Fascist Italy Tells its Story."
Vol. 1 No. 5, "Replica of Columbus Memorial Light…"
Vol. 1 No. 8, "Columbus Still Points the Way."
Vol. 1 No. 8, "Sweden Tells Her Great Story of Art."
Vol. 1 No. 10, "Old Japan."
Vol. 1 No. 11, "A Dream in Jade."
Vol. 1 No. 13, "Sheikhs and Sands of Morocco."
Vol. 1 No. 22, "Colorful Czechoslovakia."

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