The beloved Chinese actor Jackie Chan was officially called “Brand Ambassador” of the Expo 2027, an international event that will take place for the first time in the Western Balkans.
Jackie Chan and Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic, after the official announcement. Photo: Facebook
On Tuesday, September 9, in Belgrade, the Serbian authorities announced that Chinese actor Jackie Chan will represent the image of EXPO 2027, a specialized exhibition that will take place between May 15 and August 15, 2027 under the slogan “Play for humanity – sports and music for all”.
The appointment of the beloved actor takes place shortly after that of the Jamaican Usain Bolt champion, considered the fastest sprinter in history, according to Agerpres.
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, personally received the actor and emphasized the importance of this partnership for the international promotion of the exhibition. The “charisma and energy” of the star in the action films are, in his opinion, major strengths.
“I am convinced that, as a promoter of the Expo 2027, (Chan) will provide strong support in presenting the event, which will place our country in the center of world attention and will bring the world closer to the spirit of the game, which Expo promotes in our Serbia,” wrote Vucic on social networks.
“Belgrade has long become a new house for many global stars, and this time we have the special pleasure of hosting the famous @jackiechan, a man whose cinematic art continues to inspire all generation
It is a great honor for this global cinema star and one of the world’s largest cultural ambassadors to represent Expo in Serbia with charisma and energy.
I trust that as a promoter of the Expo 2027 will provide strong support in presenting the events that will put our country in the center of global attention and will bring the spirit of the game that Expo promotes in our Serbia ”will bring closer to the world”, Aleksandar Vucic wrote on social networks.
Jackie Chan, official visit to Belgrade, where he was named Ambassador of Expo 2027. Photo: Facebook
Jackie Chan is not his first “role” of this type. In 2010, he was an ambassador to the Shanghai Universal Exhibition and participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games ceremony.
In addition, the artist born at Hong Kong, who was noted in the field of cinema in several hypostases, as an actor, singer, director, screenwriter and producer, is an ambassador UNICEF from 2005.
Internal tensions
The amount of the contract signed with Jackie Chan was not made public, but, according to the Serbian press, it would be covered by sponsors and would be between 250,000 and $ 750,000.
At the same time, the appointment of the actor comes against the background of internal protests and tensions, in the context in which Aleksandar Vucic, president of 2012, is accused of corruption and authoritarian tendencies.
The Civic Movement Kreni-Promidity has already collected 120,000 signatures addressed to the International Office for Exhibitions (BIE), requesting the cancellation of the event on the grounds that it could become a source of corruption.
New infrastructure and ambitious plans
The organization of the EXPO involves major investments: the construction of a stadium with 52,000 seats, the erection of an exhibition complex and the arrangement of a modern commercial area, presented as an “urban oasis” for tourists. Serbia thus hopes to attract visitors and strengthen its position on the map of large international events.
Belgrade won the right to organize Expo 2027 in June 2023, following a competition with cities such as San Carlos de Bariloche (Argentina), Phuket (Thailand), Minnesota (USA) and Malaga (Spain).
