An artist's rendition of the Israeli pavilion at the Shanghai Expo. Israel signed a participation agreement yesterday.- Shanghai Daily

Yang Jian/Shanghai Daily news

Israel will highlight innovation at its pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, along with showcasing ancient Jewish culture.

The country signed a participation contract with Expo organizers yesterday and revealed that the Israel Pavilion will look like two clasped hands.

The design symbolizes Israeli innovation and technology, said Irit Ben-Abba, Israel's commissioner general for Expo 2010.

Israel's slogan for the Expo is "Innovation for Better Life," echoing the theme of the 2010 event, which is "Better City, Better Life," said Ben-Abba.

"Israel constantly seeks to contribute a substantial share to the world's leading innovations in art, science, literature and design and we believe innovation will contribute to a better life," Ben-Abba said after signing a contract in Shanghai.

She added that the 2,000-square-meter pavilion could also represent the dialogue between humanity and nature, the earth and the sky, as well as the past and the future.

The pavilion consists of three areas: the Whispering Garden, the Hall of Light and the Hall of Innovations.

The Whispering Garden is an orchard that greets visitors as they enter the building. Facilities will be installed to make the trees "whisper" in English and Chinese when visitors walk close to them, Haim Z. Dotan, chief designer of the pavilion, told Shanghai Daily.

The Hall of Light includes a 15-meter screen that will show films highlighting the country's innovations and technological achievements.

The Hall of Innovation is the centerpiece of the pavilion. An audiovisual show will allow visitors to hear from Israeli children, scientists, doctors and inventors via hundreds of screens. These Israelis will introduce themselves and share their hopes for the future.

The talks will be pre-recorded, Dotan said, but visitors will be able to hold a genuine conversation with Israeli people in the virtual Israel Pavilion at Expo Shanghai Online.

Israel will spend about US$6 million on its Expo activities. It is the first time Israel has committed to building a national pavilion at a World Expo.

So far, 227 countries, regions and international organizations have confirmed they will participate at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.