Better late than never, right? It’s no news that due to the global situation that we are facing right now, people all over the world have postponed their plans and preparations. From world-class sports tournaments to other national and international events all over, everything turned upside down. Dubai World Expo 2020 faced the same fate as it treads on uncertainty.
The World Expo was supposed to start from October 20, 2020, and run for an entire 6 months up till April 10, 2021.
That could not be possible. But like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, we were shortly informed that the World Expo is happening after all. Just not in 2020.
According to the new dates proposed by the organizers along with the BIE Member States, the expo will now run from October 1, 2021, up till March 31, 2022. However, none of the vigor is lost and the organizers still look forward to hosting the “World’s Greatest Show.”
In retrospect, TicketsToDo presents to you some interesting info on the World Expo 2020 that will be held in Dubai post-COVID-19. The reason why it’s so special.
Expo’s response to COVID-19
Although the organizers of the World Expo 2020, Dubai were firm on trying to execute the events at the stipulated time, many countries that have been affected significantly by COVID-19 expressed a need to postpone the event’s opening by a year. Keeping these proposals in mind along with the spirit of solidarity and unity, the whole event will now be held after a year.
Theme and Sub-themes of the Expo
“Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” is the theme for the 2020 World Expo and the sub-themes are Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability. The organizers still aim to host a World Expo that showcases the best examples of collaboration, innovation, and cooperation that would inspire people in different ways. The whole situation is unpredictable. However, their collective ambition as of now, more than ever, is to bring humanity together and remember what truly unites everyone.
The Mascots
Here’s all you need to know about the World Expo 2020 Dubai Mascots.
In short, Rashid and Latifa are two children who represent the Emirati population. The three remaining mascots are robots each representing the sub-themes of the Expo— Mobility, Opportunity, and Sustainability. There is also a magical tree that symbolizes the Ghaf tree— the national tree of the UAE. While the two children represent the Emirati population, the robots are said to have been created deliberately with no nationality. As a part of the characters representing the Expo, these robots represent the non-Emirati population as they are considered to be very much a part of the UAE.
Enjoy this video on some interesting facts on the World Expo 2020:
Themed Pavilions
The pavilions showcased in the Expo are based on each one of these sub-themes. 34 pavilions from various countries have already been revealed so far. This is a platform to foster creativity, innovation, and collaboration on a global level. It believes that sharing innovative ideas and building partnerships will inspire the way we shape our future in the most positive way possible.
Alif— The Mobility Pavilion
Alif represents the sub-theme of Mobility and is designed to help people move from one place to another by changing its shape. It signifies our relationship with technology and focuses on human progress through physical and digital realms. The main features of this pavilion are Retail, F&B, and live performances.
All products retailed at the expo are manufactured and supplied by small and medium enterprises. Here are some interesting souvenirs from Dubai Expo 2020. Also, the local food scene in the UAE being a growing business, these are some of the home-grown eateries that will be promoted at the World Expo, Dubai.
Opti— The Opportunity Pavilion
This pavilion Opti represents the sub-theme of Opportunity and is designed to create golden opportunities for people. It also signifies human relationships with each other and helps unlock the potential within individuals and communities to create a better world. The highlights of this pavilion are:
• Join a global mission
• Follow in the footsteps of three mentors
• Pledge to make a better future.
Terra— The Sustainability Pavilion
Terra represents the sub-theme of Sustainability and signifies our relationship with nature. It focuses on the fact that the future of our Earth hangs in the balance and encourages its visitors to be an agent of change. Since we have no planet B, we need to help speed up the pace of protecting and preserving the only world we’ve got. The highlights of this pavilion are:
• Wander through forest roots
• Dive into ocean depths
• See Earth’s wonders corrupted.
Dubai Expo latest update
- On June 1, 2021, Dubai’s newest metro station opened at the World Expo 2020 site. For now, the station can be used only by Expo 2020 employees and other eligible travelers. However, after the expo opens on October 1 this year, the station will be open for all passengers.
- Another station also opened at Dubai Investment Park the same day.
- Further, a station will open at the Jumeirah Golf Estates on October 1.
- An interesting part about this expo is that many of the pavilions will stick to the themes of Expo 2020 and use natural climate control strategies instead of air conditioning.
- As architects and designers are expected to come up with new ideas and innovations, Carlo Ratti and fellow architect Italo Roti, have designed an out-of-the-box reusable roof. Ratti is the head of Carlo Ratti Associati and architect for the Italian pavilion.
- Three massive frames of upturned boats are now above the Italian pavilion. These boats will be used for sailing once the expo ends on March 31, 2022.
With the hope of the Coronavirus pandemic ending soon and the world coming back to normalcy thereafter, The World Expo Dubai 2021 still looks forward to being the largest event in the Arab World.
Source: expo2020dubai.com