With 192 countries taking part, and each pavilion telling a different story, visitors to Expo 2020 will have the world at their fingertips.
Now that the huge event is just around the corner, we’re uber excited about what will welcome us at the site on opening day on Friday October 1.
To get you just as pumped as we are, we’ve rounded up some of the most fascinating pavilions on offer.
From learning about sustainability through an aquatic treasure hunt to using augmented reality to make your walk wonderful, these are all truly unmissable Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions.
Belgium
The Belgian pavilion has certainly lived up to its reputation of being the powerhouse of European mobility. With a 500 square meter exhibition offering visitors an insight into Belgian innovation as well as a kiosk of Belgian delicacies, the pavilion is sure to be one to watch for the duration of the Expo. And that’s before we’ve even mentioned the lush Green Arch exterior that champions biomimicry, a concept whereby solutions to modern day issues are modelled on nature.
Cuba
Rumba music. Vintage cars. Sensational beaches. Cuba is known for lots of things, and one of our favourites is a certain mixed drink that has made its way onto bar menus across the globe. Head to the Cuban pavilion at Expo 2020 and you’ll be able to try a mocktail version of the sweet, minty beverage while you learn about the history of the sugar cane capital of the world through a collaborative game. Once you’re refreshed and well-versed in Cuban history, you’ll also get to learn to dance the nation’s iconic cha-cha-cha in an enlivening true South American experience.
Jamaica
Shipping containers take the centre stage at Jamaica’s spontaneous street party-style pavilion. Wander around and you’ll come face to face with some of the nation’s greatest sports persons as you learn their stories and revel in the country’s rich art and history, all while enjoying some true Jamaican coffee. Inside the music studio, you can have a listen to some of the Caribbean island’s most important artists – including Bob Marley. This place is Jamaican us crazy.
Luxembourg
Easily one of Expo’s most visually appealing pavilions, Luxembourg’s space is designed to mirror their ideas of openness, taking the shape of an Möbius ribbon, an infinite form. And get this: within the exhibit, if you aren’t in the mood to go down a flight of stairs, you take a slide that sends you straight to the pavilion’s ground floor. In fact, it’s the only pavilion offering this brilliant alternative to merely walking down the stairs, and we love the innovation.
Monaco
Science is something that each pavilion encompasses in one way or another, and in the case of Monaco, the tiny country has made use of a kaleidoscope to explore the rich history of Monacan art, culture and innovation. Just by looking around, visitors can go on a Grand Prix of Monacan history. To learn more about the natural side of things, you can visit the pavilion’s ‘Garden of Opportunities’ and immerse yourself in the country’s sunny climate and what that means for the Expo’s opportunity sector.
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Seychelles
Many of the exhibits we’ve discussed so far have been largely land-based. Now, why not take a deep dive into the aquatic side of things? In the Seychelles exhibit, you can experience a treasure hunt, which is meant to show that the Islands of Seychelles should be treasured, and ties in with the preservation theme in the rest of the pavilion. While on your hunt, you can learn about some of the projects put in play to better the marine life in Seychelles and appreciate the work of locals in the local crafts section.
South Korea
Like much of the world around us, the infrastructure surrounding the South Korean pavilion changes as time goes on. During the day, bright hues of red and yellow illuminate the tent-like structure, but in the evening, the pavilion takes on a new complexion as bursts of blue and pink light up the night sky. Within the exhibit, visitors can experience so-called wonder walks where you can experience South Korea’s developments in science and technology through augmented reality.
Tanzania
You can embark on the trip of a lifetime in the Tanzania pavilion without even having to board a flight. Try to spot some of the nation’s most elusive animals on a virtual safari, or take a bird’s eye view of the Tanzanian fields. Only in this pavilion can you see an elephant drink water and, right after, walk the streets of the capital for yourself.
The Plus
How could we create this list and miss out our favourite pavilion to date?
Lay’s, the famous potato chip brand, is going to be at Expo. teaming up with Pepsi, you can learn all about the history of the humble potato chip, and its journey from a farmer’s hand to crisps in a bag, as well as the recycling possibilities each bag brings. Similar to the bubbles in a can of soda, the pavilion’s Equalization Zone will seek to inspire those visiting to rise to the occasion, and advocates for gender equality through a sensorial football interaction.
Don’t forget to check out our dedicated Expo 2020 Dubai page here for even more fun things to look forward to.
