Representing Singapore at the Expo: DURIAN STAR

When the Expo people first revealed Haibao, we were less than pleased. Then the Australian mascot came along and we thought to ourselves, well at least we're not that obvious. Then the Taiwanese mascot made its appearance and we were thankful that at least Shanghai wasn't being represented by something that looked like crap. Literally. But this new Singaporean mascot? It actually makes us happy that Haibao's ours.

Say hello to the “Durian Star” (榴莲小星), who'll be representing our friendly little island to the South in Shanghai from May to October in 2010. According to the Singaporean Expo organizers:

Drawing inspiration from our iconic Merlion and The King of Fruits, the Durian, Singapore Tourism Board developed LIU LIAN XIAO XING - a lovable and easily recognisable character.

LIU LIAN XIAO XING is a five-year-old Singaporean boy who travels around the world with his parents, who are well respected musicians.

He is nuts about durians but they are not readily available in some of the places they travel to. He loves them so much that he enjoys sketching pictures of the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay because they resemble the durian! The poor boy thinks about durians all day, so his Mum made a delightful little costume for him that looks just like one. (Now everywhere he travels, the little King of fruits makes the other children green with envy!)

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. His cap, shaped just like a durian was inspired by his love of the fruit and his sketches of the Esplanade!

Oh Singapore.

Source: Kennethism