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Dubai Expo 2020
@ Halal | November-December . 2021
Creating minds , connecting the future Dubai will host the world for 182 days , each one brimming with new experiences
HUNDREDS of thousands of people are expected to flock to Dubai when the Covid-delayed Expo 2020 , the world ’ s largest event since the plague , opened its sparkling pavilions in the desert .
During the year-long postponement , the Expo site in the dusty Dubai outskirts was officially off-limits . Still , the veil was lifted on Oct 1 during an opening ceremony attended by the Emirati aristocracy .
According to AFP , the exhibitions , or pavilions , will showcase more than 190 countries ’ inventiveness and include architectural marvels and a long list of technology advancements .
The first world fair was in London in 1851 , when it was held in the purpose-built Crystal Palace , and it featured the Eiffel Tower in Paris in 1889 , which was meant to be a temporary attraction .
The core of World Expo has always been a sense of global spectacle , and the UAE ’ s built environment is well placed to give it just that .” — Sheikh Mohammed
In Dubai , the first version in the Middle East is the region ’ s largest event , with 25 million people expected for the six-month event .
During the epidemic , the Tokyo Olympics was the next most significant event globally , with fans barred from practically all venues due to severe virus laws .
However , the epidemic will leave an indelible mark on Expo 2020 , with masks and social segregation required on site . Vaccination or a negative PCR test will be required for entry .
The United Arab Emirates , which has a population of 10 million people , has seen a sharp decline in coronavirus cases in recent weeks , with the number of cases falling below 300 in early October , less than half of what was a fortnight earlier .
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al- Maktoum , the ruler of Dubai , is optimistic about the fair , stating it will be “ the most extraordinary Expo in the event ’ s history ”.
“ Our nation ’ s talented citizens were able to convert this vision into a comprehensive plan for success , conveying a message to the world that our commitment to excellence makes us an important contributor to shaping the globe ’ s future ,” he said , according to official media .
The show adds to Dubai ’ s extensive list of accomplishments , including the Burj Khalifa , the world ’ s tallest building at 828 metres ( 2,717 feet ).
“ The core of World Expo has always been a sense of global spectacle , and the UAE ’ s built environment is well placed to give it just that ,” said an opinion piece in a local newspaper .
In one respect , the postponement has benefited the UAE , commemorating its 50th anniversary on Dec 2 .
As the clock counted down to the site ’ s delayed inauguration , workers put the finishing touches on infrastructure and facilities .
The Harlem Globetrotters and a Chinese robot panda are among the many attractions at Expo , which will draw a slew of politicians , business executives , entertainers , and sports figures .
One of the largest pavilions is China ’ s , a LED-lit lamp-shaped structure , while Morocco ’ s is constructed using traditional mud-brick techniques .
The Dutch have a pyramid covered in edible plants and irrigated with rainwater collected from the sun .
The principal themes of the Expo are opportunity , mobility , and sustainability , and the site is centred on the magnificent Al Wasl (“ Connection ”) Plaza , which 360- degree projections on its massive dome will illuminate .
On Oct 1 , the public started thronging the fairgrounds .
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