Expo 2020-The Much-Awaited World Fair Kickstarts in Dubai

For 170 years, World Expos have provided a platform to showcase the greatest innovations that have shaped the world we live in today. Expo 2020 will continue that tradition with the latest technology from around the globe.

The mega show of the world – Expo 2020 – opened to a magnificent and grand kickstart at Dubai. The greatest show on earth happening in Dubai will be seeing participation of over 190 countries including India and the world is curious to see the latest in technology that the show would feature. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East’s first world’s fair opened on 30th October in spectacular opening ceremony. At first, the site of the 1,080-acre (438 hectare) Expo was barren desert. Now, it’s a futuristic landscape buzzing. World Fairs have always been popular. The 6 month long grandest show ever is slated to surpass all expectations presenting to the world what the future holds in the most scintillating way!

Expo 2020 Dubai’s star-studded Opening Ceremony was streamed live to more than 430 locations across the UAE, giving everyone the chance to participate in the ground-breaking spectacle, wherever they might be. This was followed a night later by three mind-blowing fireworks displays in Dubai, marking the first full day of the Expo in a spectacular visual celebration commemorating the journey from winning the bid in 2013 to opening the first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, and the largest global event held since the start of the pandemic. Screens were set up in locations ranging from airports and shopping malls to hotels and other landmarks, relaying the incredible music and cultural performances as they happened

Among those who performed are world-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli; Grammy-nominated, Golden-Globe-winning actress, singer and songwriter Andra Day; platinum-selling British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding; international mega-star pianist Lang Lang; and four-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo.

Expo 2020, the world Expo is a 6-month long spectacle at Dubai, scheduled from 1st October 2021 to 31 March 2022. It’s a six-month mega extravaganza which was originally scheduled from October 2020 to April 2021 but due to Covid Pandemic the mega spectacle was pushed and today is the day when not only UAE, but the entire world is looking forward to Expo 2020. The 182-day event is being keenly waited for its grandiose and diversity. ‘Connecting Minds and Creating the Future’ through sustainability, mobility and opportunity is what Expo 2020 stands for…

The Pavilions

For the first time in World Expo history, every participating country will have its own pavilion to showcase its immersive cultural experiences. Along with it, are international organizations and civil societies which would tell how they are working on the global challenges. There are thematic and Expo owned pavilions too for showcasing education, entertainment and excitement all merged to deliver the most stunning experience!

Thematic Weeks

Yes Expo 2020 is celebrating each week as one relevant topic and the first week is Global and diversity Week. EXPO 2020 emphasises on exchange of inspiring new perspectives to tackle greatest challenges and opportunities of our time. The much relevant topics are climate, connectivity, future of space exploration and health and so much more. There are 10 thematic weeks planned which will run throughout the 6-month long expo. The aim is to explore humanity’s most critical challenges and opportunities through a cultural, social, environmental, and economic lens. The aim is to explore humanity’s most critical challenges and opportunities through a cultural, social, environmental, and economic lens. Ten weeks planned are Climate and Bio-diversity to address the issue of climate change and protecting the precious bio-diversity, Space to know how we can safely explore new horizons of the future, Urban and Rural Development to explore how to live in harmony, Tolerance and Inclusivity since this is the need of the hour to educate about the understanding to enable more tolerant and inclusive societies, Global Goals to better prepare ourselves for 2030, Health and Wellness is so appropriate to create a healthy and happy world for the generations to come, Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods to address the growing demand and how to meet it sustainably, Water which is our most precious reserve and how to conserve it, knowledge and Learning to plan for future, Travel and Connectivity to explore and balance the digitization with the real world.

Innovations and Technology@Expo

We live in a world driven by technology. Expo 2020 is just the right place whether you are a techie or just someone driven and enthused by technology, to experience life-changing innovations and get a glimpse of a truly connected hi-tech world. What the tech future holds for us like devices to extract water from air, robots playing music on a piano or a rope less elevator, Expo has the most amazing display of technology that will drive the future. Yes, innovation will drive future and no better place than Expo 2020 to experience it first-hand!

Entertainment and Gastronomy Hub

Expo 2020 promises to bring along entertainment and ecstasy never experienced before. This is just the right place to immerse your senses. It’s a spectacle to watch performers from across the globe. From street art to live music shows and VR spectacles of the highest order, there is entertainment galore at the Expo. Expo is just the right place to feel the energy as performers liven things up and bring fun to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Not just entertainment, Expo 2020 brings to the table cuisine from every corner of the world. Street food, haute cuisine, family friendly meals, sustainable dining and unique culinary journeys are just a handful of the options. It’s like authentic and signature cuisine of all countries has been assimilated here to give the visitors a total global gastronomic experience.

Art and Culture@Expo

From Al Wasl Opera to a diverse range of installations, artistic creations, workshops and performances, the visitor will surely be engulfed in a realm of contemporary creativity. A thousand years of culture will be brought to life through the Al Wasl Opera. Sung in English, audiences will be captivated by a story centred on unity and connectivity.

Food and Livelihoods @Expo

Enter the year 2320 as immersive multi-sensory studio Bompas & Parr and Expo 2020 brings you a two-hour pioneering culinary experience inspired by space, microbiology, artificial intelligence, and hyper-intelligence that will stir your senses in a radical new concept designed to highlight the impact of AI on the future of dining. Book to enjoy one of our three sittings per day.

There is going to be a world of food where taste knows no borders. Expo will be a place to discover how everything from climate change to technology will change how we source, prepare and cook food. If you are at Expo, a multi-sensory food journey to the cuisine of tomorrow awaits you.

Sports, Fitness and Wellness

There’s no shortage of sports and fitness activities, from football pitches to cricket nets, gyms to classes, and tournaments featuring some of your favourite teams. Yes actually, there are plethora of sports activities to choose from. You can see some of your favourite sports teams in action, from the Karate World Championships to exhibitions. Attend a variety of workshops, including those led by the Italian Olympic Federation, AC Milan Academy or Football Federation Australia.

Architecture

Experience countless architectural marvels in one place – including the world’s largest 360-degree projection surface, 90+ uniquely designed pavilions and 200.000 sqm of future LEED Gold & Platinum structures. The UAE pavilion is designed to represent a Falcon taking flight whereas the Belgian Pavilion is the one which produces more energy than it consumes.

Expo 2020 Dubai to showcase Women’s achievements and highlight women empowerment

EXPO 2020 is extra special as the first pavilion is solely dedicated to women entrepreneurs. No world expo, since 1900, had this ingredient that turns the spotlight on issues relating to gender parity and women empowerment. So, Dubai can take the credit for this because it has shown its determination to smash stereotypes related to women. And, it has begun well by putting women at the driver seat of Expo 2020.

According to Ms Maha Al Gergawi, senior vice president, political affairs, Expo 2020, who said the expo is literally run by women under the dynamic leadership of Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Affairs and Expo 2020 Managing Director.

“Over 50% of the workforce at Expo 2020 are women and over 60% Emirati women are in leadership positions. Expo 2020 would be an opportunity to clear the misconceptions about women’s competencies and capabilities. Interestingly, the UAE Gender Balance Council and Expo 2020 Dubai have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the engagement on gender balance and women empowerment at Expo 2020. The idea is to show the world and participating countries, the UAE’s achievements, and future goals in promoting gender balance worldwide using Expo 2020 as a solid launch-pad.