Expo 2020 Dubai kicks off on 1st October 2021. For the first time in Expo history, each of the participating countries will have its own purpose-built pavilion on the Expo 2020 Dubai site, inviting visitors to explore the ways each nation is helping to build a better future for our planet.
Throughout the 182-day duration, visitors can discover the latest in innovation from around the world. Each of the country pavilions will be set under one of the three themes of the event: Mobility, Opportunity and Sustainability. We discover some of the event highlights from a selection of country participants.
The UAE
While some details of the UAE Pavilion are being kept under wraps it’s sure to be spectacular. Shaped like a falcon, the largest Pavilion of all will tell the story of the UAE as a global hub, and the vision of its leaders to create a peaceful and progressive society with ambitious plans for the future. It will span four floors totalling 15,000 square metres and will feature exhibitions showcasing Emirati culture and achievements.
China
China Pavilion
Located within the opportunity district, China’s Pavilion is a “symbol of hope and a bright future.” It will showcase China’s rich culture and long history, combining classic artistic elements with modern technologies. Covering 4,636 square metres the China Pavilion will be one of the larges and will host dazzling light shows as well as inviting guests to experience 5G, AI and smart travel technologies.
Germany
Germany Pavilion
Located within the sustainability district the German Pavilion will focus on the environment with an impressive hands-on digital experience. Visitors will be invited to immerse themselves in a world of creative environmental ideas and see the real-life results they are already providing. There will be an in-house restaurant serving traditional German cuisine, a performance stage providing cultural entertainment and an exhibition full of entertainment.
New Zealand
New Zealand Pavilion
The New Zealand Pavilion invites visitors to learn about the country’s unique culture, values, cuisine and design. Learn about the traditional Maori value of ‘kaitiakitanga’ and feel a deep kinship as you explore the strands that connect all life and the oneness of people and the environment.
Japan
Japan’s Pavilion “Join. Sync. Act” brings together Japanese and Arabic culture and invites visitors to discover Japan’s vibrant art, culture, technology and traditional hospitality. A unique design combines traditional Arabesque and Asanoha patterns and resembles traditional Japanese origami. Inside there will be many ways to discover and experience traditional and modern Japanese culture and a restaurant will offer a unique blend of Japanese and local elements.
Egypt
The Egyptian Pavilion will feature three original antique Pharaoh statues that have been carefully shipped to the UAE for the event. There will be a chance to discover the country’s rich history through a 3D experience that will transport visitors back in time with a virtual time machine. It will also celebrate a vision of a prosperous future for tourism, infrastructure, education and more.
India
The huge India Pavilion will span across four floors and promises the offer a brilliant mix of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Space, showcasing the latest developments and breakthroughs from the country in these fields. Visitors will get to experience a 360-degree digital recreation of the country’s past, present and future and discover films, literature, cuisine and cultural performances from the country. Over 100 movies will be showcased throughout the duration of the event and food and drinks from all of India’s territories will be served.
Sweden
Sweden Pavilion
Designed by architect Alessandro Ripellino, Sweden’s Pavilion will sit within Expo’s Sustainability District. With the idea of showcasing the beautiful nature in the country, visitors are invited to stroll through pathways flanked by wooden trunks and discover how Sweden is building smart cities, developing the next generation of travel, innovating life sciences and developing a bio-circular economy.
Australia
Australia Pavilion
With a theme of “Blue Sky Dreaming” the Australian Pavilion celebrates diversity, optimism, ambition and creativity while envisioning the infinite possibilities founded on 60,000 years of innovation. There will be a large focus on astronomy, which in Australia is at the forefront of international research and discovery. Find out more about optical/infrared and radio astronomy and theoretical astrophysics. The country will also showcase some of its best inventions that you may not have realised they created including Wifi, pacemakers, the black box flight recorder and more. Some of the country’s emerging talents will also be performing at various events over the duration of the six months.
France
France Pavilion
Situated within the Mobility district, the French Pavilion known as the Pavilion of Light will explore light as a source of inspiration, knowledge and creativity. The France Pavilion seeks to rethink progress, create emotions and connections, and unleash new ideas to reinvent our world. Expect dazzling light shows, a culture and artistic immersive journey and to discover France’s incredible cuisine. The celebrations will begin on 2nd October 2021 as the Pavilion celebrates France’s National Day with a host of activations and events.
Italy
Italian Pavilion
Italy’s rich heritage is showcased through the Italian Pavilion which is titled “Beauty Connects People”. Exploring the ways creativity comes from different places as you explore a journey through Italy’s beauty, touching on the country’s extraordinary past, present and future. Talks, presentations and events will take place almost every day throughout six months. The Pavilion itself showcases the latest in Italian architecture and innovation.
United States of America
The USA Pavilion promotes the country’s freedom, creativity, innovation and opportunity, showcasing its history and its contributions to the modern world as we know it today. Experiences American freedom as you tour a moving walkway and sit back and relax as you enjoy a show that takes place on the Pavilion’s ceiling. And of course, don’t forget to grab a taste of some of the finest American food and culture on offer in the Pavilion’s courtyard.
Saudi Arabia
As the second-largest pavilion after the UAE’s Saudi Arabia is inviting visitors to experience the best of its past, present and future. There are four key pillars defining the experience: People, opportunity, nature, and heritage. A 68 square-metre, curved LED screen will greet visitors as they embark on a technology-enabled journey through five ecosystems that represent The Kingdom’s natural spaces, impressive coastline, vast deserts, surrounding seas, and high mountains. The journey will walk through the flora of Al Bardani Valley in Asir Region to the mighty mountains of Tabuk, and from the dunes of the Empty Quarter in south-eastern Saudi to the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea. Visitors will get to experience 14 cultural landmarks as they embark on a unique escalator ride. These include acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as At-Turaif District in Ad-Diriyah, Hegra Archaeological Site in AlUla, Historic Jeddah, Rock Art in the Hail Region, and Al-Ahsa Oasis. A one-of-a-kind art exhibition “Vision” will present work by celebrated Saudi artists and will feature a 30-metre 30m floating virtual sphere and a bespoke interactive floor.
Singapore
Located within the Sustainability District the Singapore Pavilion highlight’s the country’s incredible ability to combine nature and architecture in an urban environment. Set amongst a green paradise the net-zero energy Pavilion will showcase Singapore’s urban innovations featuring an immersive 3-dimensional greenery experience and a net-zero energy rainforest powered by a self-sustaining ecosystem. It will also tell the story of Singapore through interactive exhibits, programmes and flavours. A spectacular hanging garden and canopy walk will be the main attraction, where visitors can immerse themselves in nature inside and urban architectural design.
United Kingdom
UK Pavilion
Inspired by one of scientist Stephen Hawking’s final projects ‘Breakthrough Message’ the UK Pavilion invites visitors to discover what message we would communicate to express ourselves as a planet should we one day encounter other advanced civilisations in space. Based around this concept the futuristic Pavilion will explore solutions made possible by advancing technology, creativity and innovation. Highlights over the six-month period will include a large celebration on UK National Day on 10th February 2022 that will celebrate extraordinary people, places, technology, film, sport, music, food, and fashion to give you a slice of the UK in Dubai.
Russia
Russia Pavilion
The Russian Pavilion aims. To answer essential questions such as “how do we find our place in an interconnected world?” And “how can we better understand each other despite our differences?” Located within the creativity area it looks at how a creative mind can drive the future. A series of events will showcase Russia’s sights, sounds and tastes. Find out more about some of the country’s greatest creators, inventors, writers, artists and musicians who have helped to shape the cultural world.
Ireland
Ireland will be presented as the land of inspiration with its Pavilion as visitors are invited to discover a long and deeply rooted heritage of ingenuity, imagination and innovation. Join workshops where you can learn, crated and be inspired through an entertainment programme or immerse yourself in the beauty of the country through a 360-degree projected exhibition of Ireland’s story.
