Cute but stinky -- Durian Boy at World Expo 2010
Most Singapore mascots and campaign figurines tend to be on the cutesy, chubby side -- the most famous being 'Singa the Courtesy Lion' who's been kicking around for the past two-odd decades. We'd like to report something more edgy and in line with the "Urban Symphony" them, but alas, that's not too be. The Singapore Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 will have a cutesy, smiley-faced mascot named Liu Lian Xiao Xing (榴莲小星), or "Durian Boy" to greet visitors.
According to the Singapore Tourism Board, was inspired by the Merlion and the durian fruit (which the Esplanade theaters resemble as well). The back story is that he's a "five-year-old Singaporean boy who travels around the world with his parents, who are well respected musicians, and is nuts about durians which are not readily available in some of the places they travel to." He wears red overalls emblazoned with a picture of the Merlion in homage to his favourite toy -- a Merlion beanie he cuddles to sleep every night -- and a durian-shaped cap.
In a strange, non-creepy way, he's quite adorable and fits in well with Haibao, the official mascot representing Shanghi World Expo 2010. What Liu Lian Xiao Xing represents in terms of the Singapore Pavilion's theme of "Urban Symphony" (get a preview of the Singapore Pavilion here) and the music box design is a bit tenuous though, except for a chirpily worded back story.
A virtual animated Liu Lian Xiao Xing will also greet visitors to the Singapore Pavilion website -- www.SingaporeAtWorldExpo.com -- and introduce fun facts about Singapore and the Singapore Pavilion. Liu Lian Xiao Xing desktop wallpapers are also available for download on the website.
