Expo 2020 Dubai has been more than just a buzzword in the UAE for years now.
But with the opening curtain to the world’s greatest show fast approaching, some are still scratching their heads trying to work out exactly what lies in store.
What is Expo 2020 Dubai?
Expo 2020 is the latest edition in a long catalogue of World Expos held around the planet.
The World Expo series has been running since 1851, when the first event – then called the Great Exhibition – took place in London in the UK.
Shows represent a global gathering of nations dedicated to creating solutions to the most pressing matters of the day, engaging with visitors – who often flock in their millions to attend – via engaging, immersive and interactive activities.
The Dubai instalment will be the first ever to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, underlining the UAE’s place at the forefront of discussions that are shaping how we harness the potential of, and engage with, the living world, as well as our impact on it.
Organisers estimate that 25million visitors will arrive in Dubai during Expo 2020’s six-month run.
When is it taking place?
Don’t let the name fool you, Expo 2020 is kicking off later this year and extends well into 2022.
Opening night is October 1, 2021, with the show running through to March 31 2022.
The party was due to kick off in October last year, but the global health pandemic forced organisers to delay by a year in the interest of safety.
What’s happening?
190 countries will descend on Dubai in a worldwide sharing of culture and innovation.
Participating countries have been given the opportunity to set up shop at their very own pavilion to showcase how their nation is contributing to critical global debates on hotly-discussed issues.
Expo 2020 has three core themes – namely Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity – and these are explored in a variety of ways across three dedicated districts.
At the moment, only Terra – the Sustainability Pavilion in the Sustainability District has plans to open to the public.
Terra is billed as a playful, exploratory experience, where visitors will be guided on a trip through time, steadily introduced to the concept that change is a natural part of life.
As the trail concludes, and mankind is introduced into the equation, the messaging turns to how our impact has accelerated change beyond a sustainable pace.
The stimulating sensory journey – which treks under the ocean and through the rainforest in this instance – poses tough questions of guests via ongoing Q&A.
In some halls, visitors are asked tough ‘Would you rathers?’ concerning their own consumption of resources vs the impact that has on the natural world, for example: Would you give up your phone to save a rainforest you’d never see?
Importantly, data is collates and shared with guests via a scoreboard, allowing them to draw their own conclusions on the morality of the matter, and allows organisers to better understand audience attitudes in their pursuit of education around key issues.
A Laboratory of Future Values, meanwhile, features hydroponic gardens and dioramas showcasing sustainable living solutions.
Outside, traditional music and performances blends with more modern soundscapes in an open-air arena complete with stage and food and drink vendors.
Keep close to Time Out for the first look at the Mobility and Opportunity districts as soon as they are open.
What happens to the site after Expo 2020 Dubai?
Legacy goals are in place for large swathes of the site post-Expo 2020, with Terra earmarked to become a Science Centre at the show’s conclusion.
Those pavilions not rooted into permanent fixtures will be dismantled and the materials used in their creation recycled in future projects.
Participating countries were given a remit to exercise sustainable build methods for their national pavilions, supporting the over-arching themes of Expo 2020.
Can I go to Expo 2020 Dubai now?
Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion will open to the public on Friday January 22, and entry is Dhs25.
All visitors need to make a timed-entry reservation in advance online. Walk-in tickets will not be available.
The experience will be open from 3pm until 9pm on Tuesdays to Thursdays, and 4pm until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Pavilions Premiere bookings can be made now here.
Dhs25. Jan 22-Apr 10. Expo Road, www.expo2020dubai.com.
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