“This is Our Time..
This is the moment we open our eyes If we can dare to believe”
The theme song of Expo2020 promised a journey, a journey to the greatest show ever. The show will remain for millions, a memory that can never be erased.
On the eve on 31st March 2022, as the Expo flag was lowered and handed over to the preceding host, Japan, the hearts of many like self, a Dubaiite sank. The curtains had fallen on Dubai Expo2020, a festival for many, one that offered a glimmer of hope from the pandemic that ruined many lives.
The airshow, an aerobatic performance by UAE Air Force's Fursan Al Emarat aerobatics team, welcomed the visitors to the closing ceremony of Expo2020. The fighter jets lit up the sky with a daring display, painting the afternoon sky in the colors of the UAE flag. Onlookers cheered in excitement at the skills of the pilots, so proudly projecting love and respect for their country.
The closing ceremony, which began at 7pm at the Al Wasl dome, was projected to 20 huge screens around the Expo2020 site. Spectators, young and old alike, sat on bare grounds, immersed in an experience like never before.
Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai delivered a heartfelt closing address, a speech that many teenagers remarked as ‘inspiring’. “Endings are new beginnings”, he said, commenting on the first expo hosted by the country and a first in the region. He also recalled the time when UAE participated in Expo Osaka 1970, 50 years ago, and again looks forward to participating in Expo 2025 in Osaka Kansai.
Applause and cheers filled the site as the voice of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai resonated around. The ruler of Dubai reflected on the Expo2020 journey declaring, “Today is not the end of Expo 2020 Dubai, but a new beginning”.
Jai-chul Choi, president of the Bureau International des Expositions General Assembly, praised Expo 2020 Dubai as a beacon that reminded us to navigate the challenges by working together.
The Al Wasl dome projected colours of the UAE flag, took everyone to a magical world, complete with 3D projections, a laser show, a musical show, a cascading waterfall right in the middle of the dome and last but not the least the spectacular fireworks that lit up the night sky in and around the expo2020 site.
Spectators applauded and cheered at each and every occasion, enthralled at the magic that unfolded before their eyes. The Flags of over 190 participating nations were displayed, symbolizing global solidarity that the expo stood for.
A collected upheaval could be heard the moment the lights at the site were turned off for a short 30seconds and the voice of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed echoed through the entire site. His speech was followed by Christina Aguilera’s rendition of “A Million dreams” from the movie, “The Greatest showman” The closing ceremony ended with the remnants of the fireworks and made way for the plethora of concerts and shows that awaited the visitors.
The Dubai government made sure that commuting was not a hassle for the visitors. The Dubai metro was running round the clock 24x7, additional commute buses were brought in to accommodate the millions that visited the closing ceremony.
A day of visit turns to several days
The school children were among the first to visit the site of Expo2020. The enthralled students ushered in their parents, friends and acquaintances. Word of mouth travelled so fast, that we like many around us, visited the expo, thinking it would be a once only visit. Alas, not so, our visits clocked at 15 plus. At each and every visit we could not help, but comment on how well the event was organized, the ‘at ease’ feeling of the visits, the new cultures that captured our minds, the shows, the acrobats and many more.
Hassle free commute
The Dubai government made sure that travel to and from the Expo was not a thing to be bothered about. There were plenty of RTA buses plying to and from different parts of the city, the Dubai Metro dropped the visitors at the gate of the Expo site, free parking slots were provided around the site, free RTA buses worked around the clock transporting visitors from parking slots to the various Expo entrance, making the travel experience completely hassle free.
Expo zones.. dedicated experience
The entire expo site, the ‘Thematic Districts’, spread over three separate ‘petals’, offered the visitors a unique experience. The three main districts, the Opportunity District, Sustainability District, Mobility District, were complemented by the two smaller Al Forsan and Jubilee Parks.
The Visitors were greeted at the main districts with three distinct gates. Each zone offered an experience that remained true to its name and theme. Pavilions, visitor centres, refreshment centres, pathways were neatly aligned and designed to keep a free flowing and hassle free experience to visitors.
Country Pavilions
The Expo 2020 marked a remarkable presence of 192 countries (only 3 countries short from a total of 195). Right from the most popular pavilions; the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Germany, South Korea to the lesser known Chad, Tuvalu, San Marino etc..all displayed their own unique design, culture, language and society..
The UAE pavilion designed in the shape of a Falcon wings, showcased the growth of the desert country, backed by the dreams of its visionary leaders. The water fountain in the Saudi Arabia pavilion enthralled children and adults alike as they stood in the centre of the cascading water.
The slide in the Luxemburg Pavilion offered a thrilling ride. The massive 3D kinetic model of the human brain in the Russian Pavilion opened and educated the possibilities of the brain. The Singapore pavilion showcased “City in a Garden”, the USA Pavilion celebrated the American spirit : the people, the ideas, and the contributions via a moving walkway.
The pavilions hosted cuisine from the participating countries like the Columbian coffee, Kenyan Coffee, Turkish Coffee, Iranian tea, Portuguese Custard tarts, Polish Swirl Ice-creams, Swiss Chocolates, Belgium Waffles, Mexican Tacos, Lebanese dessert, Italian Pizza..all offering a bite of different cultures.
Visitor Centres
A long day in the Expo meant that restrooms were inevitable. To accommodate the large crowd, ample restrooms were incorporated into visitor centres all around the Expo site. The centres were professionally designed with top class amenities including shower facilities, baby changing rooms, refreshment areas and yes, the most active room, the passport collection centres.
Food Courts
The experience in the ‘Talabat Kitchen’ was one to remember. The Talabat robot delivered food to customers across Talabat stations. Food courts around the Expo included famous brands like Costa, House of Pops, Dominos, Baskin Robbins, Al Baik, Ravi Restaurant, Chicken Tikka Inn, Grand Beirut, Irish Village and many more. With a wide variety of restaurants and plenty to choose from, food was the last thing that the visitors had to worry about.
Passports
The inspiration to carry an yellow passport was ofcourse derived from the students who were provided the same free of cost by the Dubai government. Each pavilion carried a unique stamp which was imprinted on one’s yellow passport. The excitement to get them stamped from as many pavilions as possible picked up when a special edition white passport was announced for those with a hundred plus stamps, the stocks of which quickly ran out!!
Visitors also received a special thankyou stamp on the closing day with the words “Thankyou for the memories”.
Concerts and shows
The Dubai government ensured that the expo experience was not limited to showcasing each country’s talents. Concerts featuring BTS, A.R Rehman, Jason Derulo, Coldplay, SB19, Saed Abu Tayeh and many more were conducted to packed audiences that too, at no additional cost. Music lovers young and old alike were treated to harmonious and exciting shows, every night at the jubilee park.
The Al Wasl (arabic word for connection) Plaza, the world's largest 360-degree projection dome, featured light shows every evening with changing themes, transporting young and old alike to an out of the world experience.
What now after the expo?
The expo site closed on 1st April 2022 to make way for an ambitious legacy site. The current site will be redesigned. However, some of the pavilions confirmed to remain in site are the Al Wasl Plaza, Sustainability Pavilion, Mobility Pavilion, UAE Pavilion, Saudi Arabia Pavilion, Expo Water Feature, Garden in the Sky, Dubai Exhibition Centre, Firdaus Studio and Expo’s cycling track. Businesses and people will move into the legacy site once the redevelopment is completed.
The Expo2020, remained true to its motto “Connecting minds, Creating the Future”. As the world arrived and discovered each other, the expo showcased that dreams can truly be achieved.
The Expo2020 for many has been not just an experience, but an emotion, one that will remain forever in the memory of those who have witnessed the greatest show on earth.