Find out what makes Dubai 2020 Expo so special and different. The biggest event ever staged in the Arab world is something not to be missed. Learn when it opens and how long for – what will happen and why you should be there!
World Expos are a window into the future and showcase the best of new technology, inventions, art and culture, as well as innovations of each nation taking part. They educate visitors, provide a platform for international discussion and cooperation, and explore specific themes to gather and present leading edge ideas.
They are also extremely exciting and enjoyable events that nowadays happen every five years and last for 6 months. 192 countries will take part in the Dubai extravaganza.
Modern day Expos are themed to focus on a specific subject. This year’s Dubai 2020 Expo is Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. This is supported by subthemes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.
How and where did Expos begin?
World Fairs, now called Expos, have their origins in medieval European trade fairs. They were a method to show off goods and products to other peoples and drum up business.
France, especially, had a tradition of national exhibitions leading up to the French Industrial Exposition of 1844 in Paris. The format changed from a bazaar to a showcase of innovation with the objective of growing trade and industry of the host country.
It became what we now recognise as World Expos at Britain’s 1851 Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations. It set out to highlight the benefits of industry, international trade and peace and attracted more than 6 million eager visitors.
That was the brainchild of Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert. Being from continental Europe, he realised that many countries would benefit from an opportunity to show off their best, and not just Britain alone.
There have been over 100 such Expos or World’s Fairs (as they are called in the U.S.A.) held in more than 20 countries since then.
A brief look at some previous Expos
In all, there have been about 50 international expositions or World’s Fairs in which 20 or more nations took part. Many of them left behind amazing feats of design and architecture, which make them stand out in the memory. Here are just some:
Shanghai hosted a massive Expo in 2010 that covered more than 5 square kilometres (2 sq miles). Over 73 million visitors enjoyed spectacular exhibits from more than 200 countries.
This was an event that focused on city life, design where the theme was ‘Better City, Better Life’.
The photo shows the Shanghai Expo 2010 site during construction. Note the China pavilion called “The Oriental Crown” because it looks like a famous ancient Chinese crown. The colours are Chinese red, which are a symbol of luck and good fortune as well as being the national colours. After the Expo ended, it was repurposed as the China Art Museum.
Seattle 1962 – The Space Needle
The 1962 Century 21 Exposition in Seattle was at the time of the Space Race between the USA and Russia. The most memorable legacy is the Space Needle that dominates Seattle’s skyline to this day.
France 1889 – The Eiffel Tower
Probably the most famous monument of all was meant to be taken down after the Universal Exposition of 1889 (Exposition Universelle de 1889) in Paris. Originally the organisers planned a 900 metre (1,000 feet) tall guillotine to mark the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Thankfully they switched instead to the design proposed by Gustave Eiffel. It formed the entrance to the fair and was the world’s tallest structure at the time.
Brussels 1958 – The Atomonium
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime Dubai spectacular
Between 20 October 2020 and 10 April 2021 Dubai will host the World Trade Fair – Expo. It will be the largest event ever staged in the Arab world and the first Arab Expo.
It’s the greatest show on Earth and is expected to attract 20 million visitors from across the globe. With 192 countries showcasing their best attractions as well as scientific and technological advances, the effect will be stunning and eye-opening.
- Explore food – over 200 restaurants offering cuisines from across the globe
- Entertainment and Art – at least 60 shows every day give you a wealth of choices
- Easy access – the UAE boasts great hotels and infrastructure and they even built a new Expo metro line too. It’s the perfect city to host such a large event. Dubai will surprise and delight you.
A city hosts an Expo to confirm its world-ranking status as a great city and mark it in the consciousness of people all across the globe. Therefore it strives mightily to ensure that the event is memorable and reflects extremely well on the skills, attributes and capabilities of its people and industries.
And, of course, every country that sets up a presence at the Expo wants to achieve the same exposure and acclaim for itself.
The result is always a stunning showcase of all that is best. In other words, Dubai Expo 2020 promises to be an exciting extravaganza.
Being able to speak directly with knowledgeable people about these presentations, all in one location is an opportunity you will never again have.
Many countries invest large amounts in innovative pavilion designs to create eye-catching architecture. This alone is worth seeing. Your camera will bring home a multitude of memorable images.
