Jordan PavilionJordan's pavilion was one of the most striking at the Fair. It was a multi-peaked and domed structure covered with gold mosaic and sparkling colored glass. Its undulating roof surfaces swept down to the ground and formed Arabic arches. They shaded the stained glass windows that made up two sides of the building and walls with bas-reliefs that made up the other sides.Its stained glass windows, best seen from inside, depicted the story of Christ's agony and death were rendered in unusual abstract by Spanish painter Antonio Saura. On the other walls, seen only from the outside, were bas-relief representations of the Roman built city of Jarash, the ancient city of Petra which was carved from rock and populated by robbers who preyed on passing caravans, and the Dome of the Rock of Jerusalem. One of the Dead Sea Scrolls was shown in an exhibit area together with a replica of a cave in which it was discovered. Also on display was a scale model of the Dome of the Rock, statues of Three Kings, a Christian creche and many articles from antiquity. Nearby large color transparencies showed Jordan's expanding economy and increasing number of schools, hospitals, roads and other facilities. A troupe of Arab dancers and a military band of pipers put on frequent performances in the pavilion's 245 seat theater. At other times a half-hour color movie of modern Jordan was shown. The pavilion also had a bazaar which sold Hebron glass, olive-wood carvings, mother-of-pearl work and Bedouin jewelry. A restaurant and snack bar served Jordanian specialties such as homas, shaurmah, Arab and Turkish pastries, coffee and wine. |