A look at the World Fair '58

The Shanganagh Valley News
Vol.1 No.4 September/October 1958

Now for a brief look at the Brussels World Fair.

The main attraction, of course, is the Atomium which towers to a tremendous height with the Belgian flag fluttering proudly from the top. To the west of it we find the main pavilions which include "The Vatican State", "U.S.S.R." and "U.S.A.".

The Vatican outshone all others with a tremendous display of art and a most beautiful chapel. In the cinema Fr. Peyton's new "Rosary Film" which is competently acted by Spanish actors. The small altars adjoining the chapel were decorated with modern art.

From the peaceful atmosphere of the Vatican to the commercial atmosphere of the U.S.S.R.. The Soviets put up a good show. They had on display a model of the Sputnik and the rocket which launched it into it's orbit the previous year. The entrance was dominated by a very large bronze statue of Josef Stalin. The showcases were full of the products of the U.S.S.R. and elaborately illustrated leaflets to be had at every corner. It can truly be said that they spared no effort to bring the Free World to believe that they were a peace-loving people where a man could practise his politics and religion without interference, but , of course we know better!

The U.S.A. pavilion was very disappointing in so much that it was very lacking in display of machinery. It seemd only to consist of leaflets and propaganda. The French pavillion was the exact opposite. It was packed with working madels of every description.

The Belgian congo pavillion dealt mainly with medical missions and was very impressive.

Well as my space is limited I maust say "Au Revoir" for now.

Ed.