Water and sustainable development is the theme of Expo Zaragoza 2008, a biennial international festival of culture to be held in Saragossa, Spain, from 14 June to 14 September. Inside a meander of the river Ebro, a park has been built displaying ecological materials, renewable energy and sustainable water management. The festival's 140 pavilions — including architect Zaha Hadid's sinuous bridge (pictured), clad in steel scales that mimic shark skin, and a glass tower shaped like a water droplet — will house exhibitions and events.

Credit: M. GATTO

A platform for technical, scientific and social debate, the Expo will host nine weeks of themed seminars on water conservation, climate change and development. A series of essays has been commissioned by the Expo from global figures, including ex-president of the former Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, EU High Representative Javier Solana and Nobel Peace prize winners Rigoberta Menchú and Wangari Maathai.

J.B.