The UAE pavilion, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is inspired by a falcon in flight. It combines engineering, architecture and art.
Expo 2020 in Dubai
The Universal Expositions (Expos) are a global opportunity for innovation. They are held every 5 years with occasional special expos happening in between. The expos aim to transform people by inspiring them and introducing them to novel ideas. One enters into the site, sees and experiences the pavilions and exhibitions and comes out as a new person.
The Dubai Expo 2020 opened on October 1st 2021 and lasted for 6 months until the end of March 2022. It was the largest universal exhibition to date. More than 20 million people have visited it from all over the world, which is even more remarkable considering that it was held during a global pandemic.Ifo It showcased architecture, global culture and innovation and included over 200 participants: nations, multilateral organizations, corporations and educational institutions. The theme of the Expo was “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” underscoring how the modern world is interconnected and the need to generate sustainable solutions to global problems.
UAE Pavilion
The UAE pavilion, which is at the heart of the nearly 500-acre exhibition area is inspired by a falcon in flight. It combines engineering, architecture and art. The architect Santiago Calatrava said about it:
“I am deeply honored that our firm will have the opportunity to design the national pavilion for Dubai Expo 2020, a project with national and global significance. The final design will be a symbol of the UAE’s bold and daring spirit, reflected in what is poised to be the most inclusive and global Expo in history.”
The UAE is a country that is focused on the future. It attracts some of the most innovative companies and people from all over the world and invests in creating the Future in the present.
Dubai has the ambition to become one of the world capitals of the 21 Century. It always wanted to be on the forefront with the best and most innovative infrastructure. It certainly was the capital during the 6 months of the expo and attracted the global elite and visitors from all over the world.
Santiago Calatrava
“The proposed design of the UAE Pavilion captures the story we want to tell the world about our nation,” said UAE Minister of State and National Media Council Chairman H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber. “Our late founding father His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan used falconry expeditions to forge connections between tribes and to create a distinct national identity which ultimately led to the founding of the United Arab Emirates. Now, the falcon design will symbolize how we are connecting the UAE to the minds of the world and how as a global community we can soar to new heights through partnership and cooperation.”
Dubai and the UAE are good examples of how a new civilization is created in a short time and with limited resources. For many old civilizations, history is the weight that they carry while Dubai doesn’t have it. Only 50 years ago, it was mostly a desert, and in this short time it became a global reference and power.
“The pavilion will be one of the Expo’s greatest icons. The design will evoke the pioneering spirit and power of connections that transformed the UAE from a collection of small, desert communities, into a global connection point,” said UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai H.E. Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy. “The UAE pavilion will become an important cornerstone in our site and will have a legacy plan that will reflect our hopes and ambitions for the many years to come.”
The key to success is to have a vision for the future and to believe in it, and with the expo, it is quite evident that Dubai’s rulers have a huge ambition for their country and people. Historically, what remains from a civilization are the buildings, and this impressive UAE pavilion will remain as one of the symbols of the country, spreading its wings from the center of the expo to create and harness connections with the rest of the world.
Dubai Expo 2020 has set the bar really high for future Expos. It has been one of the largest, most visited and well executed events. Dubai has a lot to be proud of and so do the differentparticipating nations as well. We look forward and hope that the lessons learned from the Expo will make a difference in creating a better world.
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