News Discussion

Baltic Pavilion to Donate 140 Expo Mascot Plushies After Theft

In mid-May, a MYAKU-MYAKU mascot was stolen from the Baltic Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. MYAKU-MYAKU, the official character of the Expo, had been displayed alongside Barabi-chan, the pavilion's own mascot. The Baltic Pavilion is jointly presented by Lithuania and Latvia.

After the theft was reported, visitors began bringing MYAKU-MYAKU plushies in support. Around 140 items were collected and displayed at the pavilion until May 30.

Now, the pavilion is passing on that goodwill by donating the items to various institutions, including children's facilities.

A pavilion representative said, "In the Baltic countries, there's a saying that even if life takes something away, it gives back something even more wonderful." They added that although Barabi-chan lost the original MYAKU-MYAKU, "she has made new friends and is feeling happy again."

"Now it's our turn to bring joy," the message continued, noting that the donated items will be "sent to people who need a smile.“

According to the Expo's website, MYAKU-MYAKU is a mysterious creature made of red cells that can divide and multiply, and blue water that flows and changes shape freely. Its name comes from myaku, meaning "pulse" in Japanese, with the repetition symbolizing the continuous flow of life, knowledge, and culture.

Barabi-chan, on the other hand, is a talking mushroom named after the Latvian and Lithuanian word for porcini. He represents the spirit of the Baltic forests.

1. 1. display　（～を）展示する、飾る
   Please display your parking permit on the dashboard of your car.
2. 2. jointly　共同で、一緒に
   My wife and I file our taxes jointly.
3. 3. donate　（～を）寄付する、提供する
   We donated to a cancer research fund.
4. 4. institution　施設、機関
   The New York Public Library is a famous learning institution.
5. 5. repetition　繰り返し、反復
   Repetition is an important part of learning.

1. 1. What is Myaku-Myaku?
2. 2. Why did visitors to the Osaka Expo bring plushies of it to the Baltic pavilion?
3. 3. What is the staff of the pavilion going to do with all of the plushies?
4. 4. What organizations do you think people should donate to?
5. 5. Have you ever donated anything?

大阪・関西万博で、東欧のリトアニアとラトビアが出展する「バルトパビリオン」に寄贈された約140の万博公式キャラクター「ミャクミャク」グッズをめぐり、館を運営するリトアニア政府関係者は5月28日、これらのグッズを近く寄付すると明らかにした。寄付先は児童施設などを想定している。30日までバルト館に飾られた。

当初、バルト館では、同館のキャラクター「バラビちゃん」と一緒にミャクミャクのぬいぐるみが飾られていたが、5月中旬までに何者かに盗まれたことが判明した。

しかし、事態を知った来場者らが次々とミャクミャクグッズを寄贈。その数は約140に及んでいた。

バルト館関係者はSNSに「バルト諸国には、人生が何かを奪っても、もっとすてきなものを返してくれるという言葉がある」と述べ、バラビちゃんは元のミャクミャクを失っても、新たな友達ができてすっかり元気になれたと説明。

今度は「私たちが喜びを届ける番」だとし、寄贈されたグッズを「笑顔が必要とする人たちの元へ旅立たせます」と記した。