As the greatest show came to an end last month, I caught myself writing posts after posts about the Expo 2020. And I know events are not my blog niche (mine's more of HIKING & TRAVEL), but I thought it'd be wrong to not write about the Expo properly. So here am I with my last post about the Expo 2020 in Dubai as an Expo souvenir in this platform!
What is the World Expo?
The World Expo is an international exhibition showcasing achievements and goals of different nations. The exhibition have different themes and runs for a short period of time (Expo 2020 run for 6 months) every 5 years.
Truth be told, I have zero clue as to what World Expos looks like. I thought it was a 100% business-related thing and only for investors. 100+ pavilion stamps in my Expo 2020 Yellow Passports later (and wasn't able to redeem the White Passport), I'm grateful to be corrected by the expo itself.
(collecting stamps from Pavilions is so addictive lol)
Expo 2020 - Connecting Minds, Creating the Future
After a year of delay, Dubai pushed through the Expo 2020 from October 2021 to March 2022 with over 200 pavilions from participating countries and organizations. While the number of the pavilion is overwhelming, it is an immersive and fun experience! Add the fact that there lots of food options as well as the free live performances!
Pavilions
Of course, the fun starts inside the pavilions. This is in no way a review nor a comprehensive list of pavilions, but more of a photo dump instead. Let me share the artworks and displays inside the pavilions that struck me in one way or another. Let's start with the small pavilions, then to mid-sized and finally the big ones!
Small Pavilions in Expo 2020 Dubai
I know for a fact that visitors go straight to big pavilions during their visit. The big pavilions take pride in their exhibitions, but the small pavilions deserve some attention too. And since there's a lot of them (small pavilions), I have a separate photo dump page for small pavilions only.
๐ Check out my Highlights of Small Pavilions in Expo 2020!
Mid-Sized Pavilions in Expo 2020 Dubai
Moving on to the mid-sized pavilions, let's start with these two European countries you probably know from a different angle. Hungary, known as part of the European Golden Triangle, and Monaco from the Grand Prix. Or at least that's what I know about them.
Thanks to Expo, I learned about new things: the abundance of Hungary in its mineral waters as well as Monaco's commitment to protecting coral reefs.
Following are the two controversial countries at the moment due to their political issues, Russia and Ukraine. Russia's brain display along with a short program while Ukraine's pavilion turned out to be a haven of support from Expo visitors.
From the Middle East and Northern Africa region are two countries which is usually off the radar. Algeria, a North African country with an artwork showing an aerial view of a typical housing village in North Africa and Middle East.
And Oman from the Middle East, featuring lots and lots of their famed Frankincense Tree. But in the end, I chose this photo of a tiny plant straightly and beautifully arranged in a tree-like structure (not shown though).
From the 'stan' countries is the underrated country of Pakistan. Apart from the display of the Himalayan Salt, which is getting known for its healing powers, Pakistan showcased their mountain peaks too. Nepal will always be #1 as a mountaineering destination because of the Mt. Everest, but Pakistan deserves the appreciation and recognition too.
Moving on is a landlocked country near Pakistan, the Turkmenistan. Gates of Hell is what I'm expecting but the President wishes to put it out so maybe that's why it's not present. The main display instead are the Turkmen golden horses and a small display of cotton as one of their top product for export.
Big Pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai
After showcasing some of my favorites from the small and mid-sized pavilions, the big ones come next. Feel free to read the separate posts of the particular pavilions below:
I wasn't able to visit all the big ones neither I have enough time and photos to write about them (visited ones). So off we go in this photo dump section of my favorite (big) pavilions that I've been to!
European Countries
Austria and Switzerland, two Alpine countries, located next to each other features two different vibe inside their pavilion. Austria with its earthen-clay structure outside while encourages the visitors to use their five senses of a person inside. The Switzerland pavilion then comes with a mirror-effect exterior and a use of umbrellas outside (I expected more out of it though) while getting the feel of the Alps (and its weather) inside the pavilion.
Poland and Luxembourg comes next with their interactive sections accordingly. Inside Poland is an interactive microphone which is the first part of the exhibit. You will learn how to say Hello in a formal Polish way in front of the microphone and your participation will enable the lighting of the exhibit. Then of course, is the exciting slide inside Luxembourg for kids and those young at hearts!
Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates
Voted as one of the best pavilions in the Expo, Saudi's pavilion featured replicas of its landmarks while riding the escalator that will take you to the main exhibit rooms. It's a little short and Al Ula is missing but a glimpse of Saudi's heritage presented in a welcoming way (not a close door anymore) makes me want to go to Saudi even more. ๐
And of course, my second home country's pavilion - the UAE, with its own sand inside the pavilion! My favorite part is at the last part though, the animation showing the UAE's history and goals while the whole room takes you to the upper part of the pavilion! Talk about a whole room moving up like a lift while you are still glued on your seat watching the animation!
District-Themed Pavilions
And as what I usually do, I save the best for last.
Alif Pavilion comes first and it is actually the first pavilion I've visited during my entire Expo journey. Alif Pavilion is like a travel between UAE's past (at the beginning) and future. Not only the giants displays looks so real, but the displays about space-related stuff makes me want to look forward to the future. And the opportunity to envision myself as an astronaut is unforgettable! Though I really look awkward there lol.
Mission Possible Pavilion comes next where I get to play as if I am taking care of a plant using the rectangular-shaped as a device to balance the needs of a plant (water, sunlight and fertilizer if I am not mistaken). And as you can see, at the end of the game, it shows that I managed to harvest 10-kgs of tomatoes!
The last among the last and my favorite among the three, the Terra Pavilion! I mean, who wouldn't notice the Dragon Tree inspired structure in the Sustainability District? And if you thought that's about it, the exhibit inside is nothing short of the interactive displays and content!
Expo 2020 Takeaway
The key takeaway insight that expo brought me is that:
The more I know about the things in this world, the more there is that I don't know.
No amount of reading blogs and books, watching vlogs, and traveling can amount to experience everything that this world can offer. As an ordinary office employee, traveling comes with a price as always. And what a great opportunity it was for us who witnessed the beauty and the fun of Expo 2020 which is just a train ride away within Dubai.
Sure enough, Expo 2020 in Dubai wasn't able to cover all. It was another tip of the iceberg. With exhibitions, live performances, and even the futuristic goals and vision, it was and will be an unforgettable memory for me yet gave me such comfort despite the ongoing pandemic situation. Well then, that's all for now and maybe I'll write another post about Expo if ever I found myself in the next one. See you around!
