The mascot of the Expo’98 was created by the painter António Modesto, and by the sculptor Artur Moreira. Selected from 309 proposals, was named Gil, named after the Portuguese navigator Gil Eanes. The choice of the name was José Luís Coelho, then 10 years old and a student in the School of Basic Education of Bounds, who participated in a contest which involved schools from all over the Country. The family of José Luis received passes to visit the Expo’98 all day, and the young man was one of the guests of honour at the official opening of the last world exhibition, the 21st of May.