These days, we often hear the name of Expo 2020 Dubai, a global event that is little known. It is interesting to know that more than 192 countries from all over the world have participated in this world exhibition to show their industrial, commercial and cultural history and achievements.
Expo 2020 Dubai is the world’s largest exhibition, which this time was hosted by the United Arab Emirates for 6 months and at a cost of 7 billion dollars. Expo 2020, as the 35th World Expo, was held for the first time in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. This is the first time in history that an Arab country is hosting the Expo.
According to the latest statistics, more than 25 million people from all over the world visited Expo 2020 Dubai during the 6 months. This greatly contributed to the boom of tourism and the economy of Dubai. Join us today at Coverdale to visit the magnificent and ultra-modern infrastructure of Dubai Expo 2020 and learn more about this exhibition.
what is an expo event?
What is an Expo?
Expo is the world’s largest technology-oriented exhibition held every 5 years and covers various aspects with diverse interests. During this event, every country in the world is invited to showcase what they are best at.
In this exhibition, by sharing new and creative ideas, people around the world help each other in the path of progress. In every expo, new ideas and achievements in the field of knowledge and technology are unveiled, and the Bureau International des Expositions determines the host country to hold it.
History of Expo
The first Expo was held in Paris in 1844 with the focus on displaying the latest human achievements and inventions. The Eiffel Tower, the first typewriter, TV, and even Hanes ketchup were introduced to the world at this exhibition.
Expo 1851 London: The exhibition generated a surplus of £186,000, part of which was allocated to the establishment of the Victoria and Albert Museum and part to the establishment of Imperial College and the Royal Albert Hall.
Expo 1986 Vancouver: This exhibition had 22 million participants and was the first country that China, America and Russia participated in.
Expo 2010 Shanghai, China: The Shanghai Expo started its work with more than 246 participants and with the motto of Better City, Better Life. This exhibition won the title of the biggest and most visited Expo by attracting about 73 million visitors.
Expo 2015 Milan:The 2015 Expo in Milan was built on the theme of nutrition and energy for life. This exhibition had about 21.5 million visitors.
Expo 2020 Dubai: It is the longest exhibition of all exhibitions. The duration of this exhibition is 6 months and it was held from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
A Brief History of World Expo
What is Expo Dubai 2020?
Expo 2020 Dubai is considered one of the most important global events, which started one year late on October 1, 2021 due to the spread of Corona and hosted 192 countries for 6 months.
Expo 2020 Dubai slogan
Expo 2020 Dubai has started its work with the slogan ” Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, which emphasizes the importance of ideas and their cultivation by connecting people and minds.
Expo Dubai architecture
For the organizers, this exhibition is a good opportunity to show the effects and capabilities of Dubai as a city suitable for business and tourism. For this reason, in the design of the expo, they considered a very large place with a suitable view. The total area of this space is about 500 hectares and elements of modern and traditional architecture from different countries of the world can be seen in its design. This exhibition is located in the south of Dubai city and near Al Maktoum International Airport.
Exhibition venue
The main site of this exhibition was held in an area of 438 hectares and next to the new Al Maktoum International Airport. This site is divided into 3 main areas, each area is divided into different parts and at the end all parts lead to the main square.
Each country has established its own pavilion in an area that is consistent with its desired strategy. Sustainability, which is one of the main slogans of this exhibition, is at the heart of the project. For this reason, this site includes solar panels to generate electricity on the facades of buildings and street lighting, and to recycle wastewater.
In this exhibition, local plants are considered as one of the symbols of tourist attraction. Purified sewage effluent is used to cool the environment and irrigate these plants.
Since the expo venue is very large and wide, and there are no means of transportation such as buses, cars, and subways, the only way to transport visitors is the cable cars that have been placed at the exhibition site only for this purpose.
It is interesting to know that after the end of the exhibition, its place was used as a research and academic center.
Covid 19 and Dubai Expo 2020
Expo trustees held an exhibition with maximum safety against Corona. Among these measures, we can mention immediate tests and more accurate PCR tests, wearing masks, observing social distance, and encouraging visitors to get vaccinated.
What happened at the opening of Expo 2020 in Dubai?
During the opening of Dubai Expo 2020, 3000 people were watching the opening ceremony live in the square of this exhibition. Apart from this number, millions of people were following it virtually. This ceremony was called the most exciting and most visited world expo.
The flags of the 192 participating countries were displayed in a domino effect as they unfolded one by one, creating a proud and visually stunning moment.
Such a phenomenon indicated the reawakening of the world. The world’s largest 360-degree screen projected live music from the world’s most influential artists with stunning visual effects throughout the Al Wasl Plaza Dome. In this opening, more than 3000 lighting devices, 1000 speakers, 1300 local costumes created passion and emotions among the audience.
The feeling of warmth, respect, togetherness and camaraderie was felt throughout the celebration. The opening of Expo 2020 Dubai and the good feeling that took place in it showed that the world is still ready to accept such live events.
With its successful opening, Expo Dubai has shown that it can host more than 200 participants including countries, multilateral organizations, businesses and educational institutions for 182 days. It can also handle the world’s largest and most diverse exhibition with millions of visitors.
Fun Expo 2020 Dubai programs
Expo 2020 Dubai booths and programs are suitable for all age groups. Recreations were held in the open air with green areas and playgrounds. More than 60 live programs including orchestra, opera, workshops, children’s entertainment, food stalls with famous chefs and other fun programs can be counted among these entertainments.
Also, since this exhibition coincided with Christmas, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Iranian New Year’s Eve and United Arab Emirates National Day, various programs were planned for each of these celebrations. African food, the royal mummy of Egypt, concerts and performances from around the world, and a $500 three-course meal were among the other attractions of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Everything You Need to Know About Dubai Expo
The categories of programs available in the Expo Dubai calendar
Seven types of programs are included in the Expo calendar, whose key topics are addressed in dedicated halls and booths. These programs include:
- International celebrations: This program is implemented to connect more nations of the world.
- International Days: These days will be chosen with the participation of the United Nations.
- National days of countries: Each country has a day dedicated to better introduce its culture.
- Fun and entertaining programs: The implementation of this program is with the participation of artists from all over the world.
- Programs related to countries: In this program, countries implement cultural, artistic, economic and environmental programs.
- “People and Planet” programs: In this program, specialists, experts and young people talk to each other about ways to overcome challenges.
- Business events: From local startups to global institutions, in this program, they engage in networking and exchange of experience and ideas.
How many country pavilions are in Dubai Expo?
Pavilions of Expo 2020 Dubai
The United States is present at the exhibition with an icon of the Space X Falcon 9 rocket, where visitors can move inside the booth and visit the booth by moving on a designed conveyor belt. Also, a Koran belonging to the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, was displayed as an example of religious freedom “in the context of American society”.
China focused on the country’s space ambitions and future invention plans with a wide and lantern-shaped pavilion.
70 km of rope made of 2 million plastic bottles was stretched over the Italian pavilion. The main attraction at Italy’s pavilion was a 3D replica of Michelangelo’s biblical hero David, made of marble.
The falcon-shaped pavilion of the Emirates was the largest pavilion of the Expo, where visitors could see images of the country’s 50-year history through the orange sand dunes. This pavilion was an embodiment of the “symbolic interpretation of the flow of movement”.
The Canadian pavilion was a bridge between the cultures of Canada and the United Arab Emirates! The mesh and wooden facade of this pavilion was inspired by the traditional Islamic architectural styles.
The Belgium Pavilion represented the vision of this city for the future, which displayed an arched, green and flowery structure in 500 square meters of space.
The Singapore pavilion expressed Singapore’s vision for a green and sustainable future, where 170 different types of plants from different parts of Singapore were displayed.
In the Moroccan pavilion, you could see traditional Moroccan design and construction techniques in contemporary designs and urban constructions.