Turkey's first botanical expo opens in Antalya

The 2016 World Botanical EXPO, one of the largest horticultural shows in the world, opened its doors with an official ceremony on April 22 in the Mediterranean resort of Antalya.

President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu and cabinet ministers attended this year's opening ceremony, along with a number of ministers from more than 10 countries. 

Diplomats from 52 countries also attended the opening ceremony in Antalya's congress center. 

Erdo?an said all investment made for the expo in Antalya would make a great contribution to the city's tourism as well as the country's economy. 

"Some 1.8 billion Turkish Liras of revenue will enter the Antalya economy thanks to the expo, to which more than 8 million visitors are expected," he noted in a speech in Antalya. 

The World Botanical EXPO, which is the first hosted by Turkey in the event's 160-year history, will last six months, April to October, and will take place on a sprawling, 121-hectare exhibition site.   

Over 50 countries to participate in expo

More than 50 countries are expected to participate in the expo, including China, Japan, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Qatar, Uganda, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Burundi, the Netherlands, Germany, Hong Kong, Senegal and South Africa, to name but a few. Antalya won its bid in 2009 to host the botanic event of the prestigious Expo 2016. The expo, themed "Flowers and Children," is meant to promote Turkish history and cultural diversity as well as Turkey's rich agricultural and economic potential. Reflecting this, the slogan of the event is "A green world for future generations." 

It features national and international events such as concerts, congresses and symposiums, dance shows, musicals,...