Expo 2027 Belgrade — “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All”
Play is not only entertainment. It is a fundamental resource for humanity. The Compasso d’Oro International Design Award poses a concrete question to designers worldwide: how does design contribute to building a culture of play in the broadest sense?
The theme of Expo 2027 Belgrade — Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All — is built on a clear conviction: in a world marked by crises, instability and rapid technological transformation, play is not a luxury. Sport and music are concrete tools for strengthening people and communities, for facing uncertainty with greater resilience.
Play is understood in a broad sense: it is not only about childhood or leisure, but a genuine competence for the future. Through play, creativity, adaptability, collaboration and critical thinking are developed. Design can sustain, stimulate and make this quality of human action accessible — regardless of the product category involved.
An object that facilitates participation, a space made more liveable, a service that removes physical or cognitive barriers: all can respond authentically to the theme of this edition.
Subthemes
01
Power of playPlay as an instrument of wellbeing, care and sustainability. Sport and music have a direct impact on physical and mental health, help to overcome trauma and build healthier lifestyles, also promoting a more balanced relationship with the environment.
02
Play for progressPlay as a driver of innovation. Experimenting, imagining and “playing” with ideas is often at the origin of scientific, technological and social developments. Play trains flexible thinking — a fundamental quality for facing the challenges of the coming decades.
03
Play togetherPlay as a universal language. Sport and music transcend cultural, social and political barriers, fostering inclusion, dialogue and peace. Playing together means recognising one another even in differences.
