Exploring Expo 2020 is like discovering another world. A world filled with innovation, education, peace, harmony, delight and wonder. A place to discover possibilities for sustainability, mobility and opportunity. The best of us and our world in one place.
China
Today we make a beeline for the China pavilion, one of the facades that can be recognised as visually linked to its country. At nighttime, there is a light and drone show that illuminates the whole facade as well as the sky above it. Today, however, we discover the exhibits and information that China presents to the world.
The exhibits focus on technology and the future but not in a way that I feel is particularly representative of China as a country or culture. I feel that as impressive and iconic as the outside of the pavilion is, the inside misses the mark in terms of a true representation of this beautiful and fascinating country.
Opportunity – Mission Possible
The Opportunity Pavilion focuses on the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It takes us on a journey of these goals communicated as missions with the tagline ‘Mission Possible’. The journey consists of many individual stories of those who have been at the heart of the need for change and felt the impact of how innovative solutions can be shared to impact our world for the good of all.
Austria
In contrast to many of the futuristic, technology inspired pavilions, Austria takes its inspiration from nature and the Arab cultures of the land where the pavilion resides. The architecture is distinctly Middle Eastern. The building is designed to connect 38 cone shapes, these work to replicate the natural cooling abilities of the traditional Arab wind towers. The series of cone shaped structures keep the complex 5-10°C cooler than the outside air. No mean feat with zero air conditioning pumping through.
The rest of the experience is tranquil. The greenery of the open air gardens distinguish itself from the color of natural clay used for the structure. The path takes us on a journey of the senses. Sight is represented by locally inspired symbols etched into the walls. Smell by a gallery of specially imported wood, the kind used for saunas that has a particular smell.
The whole experience is surprising and delightful, yet I am a little perplexed as to how much it has to do with Austria. I decide to view it as a symbolic experience.
Lebanon
Once again it is hard to boil a whole country down to be represented in a small space by images and ideas. Lebanon tries though. The pavilion exhibits Lebanon’s past and present with a focus on youth empowerment, the nation’s vibrant nightlife and a country passionate about sport.
There is a great interactive swing exhibit where visitors can take respite on a rotating swing and enjoy images of this diverse country, its people and landscape flash by.
Indonesia
Indonesia aims to connect yesterday, today and tomorrow. The exhibition begins with a corridor representing the Spice Islands: lined with cumin, corredander, star anise, ginger, pangium and the like.
The exhibition shows Indonesia’s modern cities and innovations as well as its natural beauty, its flora and fauna. A large screen mesmerises with Indonesian patterns in a colourful display.
Alif – The Mobility Pavilion
The world’s largest lift transports us to the top floor. I feel slightly disoriented as I enter the sloping corridors of the Alif pavilion to following the path downwards as I discover the exhibits.
In the first large space we meet three larger than life wise men. They are the nine metre tall historical giants of mobility. These men’s innovations helped navigate the world and paved the way for some of the technology we use today.
Men of Mobility
Abu Ubayd Al-Bakri (1014 – 1094) was an Andalusian-Arab scholar. Although he never left the courts of Al Andalus (Spain), his Book of Highways and Kingdoms written from stories of travellers and merchants, made accurate references to the geography, culture religion and trade of Europe, North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. He is remembered as a unique traveller of the mind.
Ahmad ibn Majid (1432 – 1500) was known as the lion of the sea. Born to a family of mariners in the UAE he became a master of navigation by the stars and seasonal currents. He sailed all over the Indian Ocean and his Book of Useful Information on the Principles and Rules of Navigation reports star positions, currents, winds and port locations that are still accurate even by today’s standards.
Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta (1304 – 1368) was an explorer who spent nearly 30 years travelling across Africa, the Middle East and Asia. In his book, Rihla, he recounts his tales and observations about customs, facts, fauna, geography and politics collected from his travels (information about the travellers cited from information available at the Alif pavilion).
There is a fabulous interactive exhibit where you can ‘build’ from the virtual sands of the desert and some more innovative interpretations of world, color and light.
Saudi Arabia
We returned to the Saudi Arabia pavilion today at the instance of Harley. It is rather spectacular, both inside and out and being the second largest pavilion at Expo 2020, it has room enough to showcase the country’s natural landscapes, culture and ambitious future developments.
Head down the spiral staircase as you exit the main building and don’t miss the fountain!
Tonga
This is a small constitutional monarchy of around 100,000 people living across an archipelago of more than 170 islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Tonga is a peaceful place, known for its tropical forests and beautiful beaches.
San Marino
A small independent republic in Italy, San Marino represents the world’s oldest sovereign state and constitutional republic. A friendly San Marinan gives me a quick rundown as I enter the pavilion and I depart knowing that San Marino exists, where it is located and with a distinct desire to visit that may have something to do with its monastic origins.
Marshall Islands
Another country in Oceania, the Marshall Islands is made up of multiple islands and a tiny (60,000) population. I learn that the Marshall Islands is the home of the Bikini Atoll. In 1946 an atomic bomb exploded in the atoll. Later, the ‘bikini’ swimming costume was named so because of the ‘explosive’ effect created by the garment.
Today, shipping plays a major role in the country’s economy due to its location and convenience as a port.
Chad
Chad is a country in northern central Africa with more than 200 distinct ethnic groups giving rise to a rich cultural heritage.
It has three distinct climatic zones although most of its diverse wildlife lives in the grasslands. The southern Sudanic zone is where elephants, buffalo, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, giraffes, antelopes and big cats (lions, cheetahs and leopards) roam.
The Good Place (by Expo Live)
This pavilion brings together stories from global innovators inspiring visitors to optimism about the future and the difference that we all as individuals can make.
Good To Know
Tickets for Expo 2020 are available online or at the gate. The site is easily accessible by car, taxi, bus or metro.
There are many food outlets throughout the site that celebrate a world of flavours. Try the schnitzel in the Austria Pavilion or any of the Eat at Expo street food sites.
Wear comfortable shoes. Be prepared to que for the larger, more popular Expo pavilions.
Discover more of China:
Discover more of Lebanon:
Discover more about Monasteries:
Would I Return?
Yes.