Etienne Tollenaere – visitor Expo 58

Preparations for Expo 58 began much earlier. Actual construction of the pavilions and structures, including the Atomium, began in 1956. At the time, Etienne was 10 years old and living in Brussels. He discovered Expo for the first time thanks to his father. It was love at first sight. Two years later, in 1958, when Etienne was 12, he visited Expo 58 on several occasions, 52 to be precise.

Despite his young age, Etienne remembers the World's Fair like it was yesterday and shares details that most people don't even remember. This attention to detail can also be seen in the unique model he made of the Expo 58 site, from the number of trees to the direction of the flags, on display in the Atomium's permanent exhibition.