Expo 2020 Dubai: Final preparations with just 30 days to go


Ramola Talwar Badam
  • English
  • Arabic

Organisers and workers are in the final stretch of testing stunning structures for the World Fair that will begin in Dubai in a month.

After a year-long postponement, officials spoke of a buzz of anticipation about Expo 2020 Dubai’s promise to inject confidence, optimism and cheer in a world still reeling from the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, the gates to the Expo site were filmed being opened to allow photo and camera crews inside.

Yousuf Caires, a senior vice president of Expo Live, described an upbeat mood.

“It’s a time of excitement for everybody, our site is visible and it’s alive,” he told The National.

We know how much the world is waiting for this. Everybody expects Expo to do something great.
Yousuf Caires,
Expo senior vice president

"It’s almost 30 days for expo so the excitement level is high, the pitch is high, the expectation is high.

“We know how much the world is waiting for this, how much this country, our community here in UAE, is waiting. Everybody is expecting Expo to do something great and we are trying to give everyone a really great experience.”

Dozens of exhibits have been set up by countries across the 438-hectare Dubai South site and conferences have been planned through to March 2021.

Dubai Press Club hosted a gathering for social media influencers and content creators ahead of the start of Expo 2020. Photo: Dubai Press Club
Dubai Press Club hosted a gathering for social media influencers and content creators ahead of the start of Expo 2020. Photo: Dubai Press Club

Mr Caires said the aim was to impact lives beyond the six-month fair.

The Expo Live programme is the first in the history of the World Fair to award grants to organisations and individuals focused on finding solutions to worldwide issues.

Innovators from across the world will speak to visitors about path-breaking work in sectors including education, empowering women and farmers’ rights.

“The last year was extremely tough for start-ups across the world and we were very fortunate to be able to support some of them,” Mr Caires said.

“They will tell their story and inspire people. We hope to find a lot more change makers here at the Expo.”

Pavilion of Lights - France

At the Expo site, workers are racing to complete some structures, others are adding finishing touches to the interiors of pavilions.

Electrical, engineering, communications systems, fire and life safety tests are being carried out to ensure structures are safe for the thousands expected to visit daily when doors open on October 1.

Planners are also fine-tuning the programming that will be on offer.

Designers and engineers are finishing work on a dazzling light show and the interiors of the France pavilion, one of the standout structures that draws inspiration from famed artist Claude Monet.

Construction work on the France Pavilion was completed in April.

“We are currently finalising the interior scenography of the permanent exhibition. The journey will take the public on a stroll through the history of progress, a founding concept of the World Expos since the mid-19th century,” said Erik Linquier, commissioner general for France at Expo 2020 Dubai.

“As the ‘Pavilion of Lights,’ we are completing the light shows that will light up the pavilion and the World Expo.”

Organisers have a packed schedule designed to encourage visitors to stay after they watch stunning displays of waves of light bursting across an overhead canopy.

“We can’t wait to welcome the world to the France Pavilion,” Mr Linquier said.

“Expo 2020 Dubai is expected to be the biggest event of the year, and I believe that it will be a successful event as Expo 2020’s organisers have relentlessly worked on sanitary and security measures to ensure the visitors’ safety.”

The country will celebrate its National Day one day after the opening and has promised to showcase art, science and innovation.

“Our motto 'France, light, speed, inspiration' reflects our ambitious programme … to lead visitors along a path that highlights unique and daring French innovations and creations,” he said.

Luxembourg - team ready to move in

The design of the Luxembourg pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai echoes an object with no boundaries.
The design of the Luxembourg pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai echoes an object with no boundaries.

Luxembourg, the first country in June 2016 to officially confirm its participation with a national pavilion, said it was poised at the final mile.

“The last touch-ups are being made and our team moves into the office within the next days. Slowly but surely our pavilion is coming to life, and we cannot wait to open the doors very soon,” said Maggy Nagel, commissioner general of Luxembourg at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The contractor and project consultant have almost concluded their testing of the electrical, plumbing, fire safety and operational elements. The eye-catching structure holds a giant slide in the central hall and is filled with trees and plants.

Ms Nagel said hosting the World Fair had never been more crucial.

“Collaboration and coming together as one is considered more vital than ever before,” she said.

“We at the Luxembourg pavilion are fully aligned with the precautions taken by Expo 2020. In this spirit, we have implemented various precautionary measures across the area and within the building of the pavilion. We cannot wait to welcome the world to the Luxembourg pavilion.”

Italy to engage visitors online too

Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Cecilie Hollberg, director of the Galleria dell’Accademia Di Firenze, when the David statue was unveiled in April at the Italy pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai.
Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Cecilie Hollberg, director of the Galleria dell’Accademia Di Firenze, when the David statue was unveiled in April at the Italy pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai.

Paolo Glisenti, commissioner of the Italian pavilion, said staff would soon test multimedia installations, interior light and sound design as part of final fit-outs.

He said the effort would expand to engaging audiences online, so that people unable to make it to Expo 2020 Dubai would still be part of the excitement.

A 3D replica of Michelangelo's David is attracting attention as the striking centrepiece.

The life-size copy of the famous 16th-century marble statue has been placed under an unusual roof made from the hulls of boats and painted in the national colours.

“I believe Expo will set a new model for global events in the foreseeable future by creating the perfect mix between virtuality, connecting at distance and physical participation,” Mr Glisenti said.

“We have finalised our programme for the first three months of Expo leaving room for updating and adjusting the events to take place in the second quarter”.

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UAE central contracts

Full time contracts

Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid

Part time contracts

Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma

The End of Loneliness
Benedict Wells
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
Sceptre

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The Book of Collateral Damage

Sinan Antoon

(Yale University Press)

RESULTS

1.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winners: Hyde Park, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)

2.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard

2.45pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

3.15pm: Shadwell Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 (TB) Dh575,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Blown by Wind, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

3.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh72,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

4.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh64,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Obeyaan, Adrie de Vries, Mujeeb Rehman

4.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.

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Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

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The biog

Siblings: five brothers and one sister

Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota

Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym

Favourite place: UAE

Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera

What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books

Zakat definitions

Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.

Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.

Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.

Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.

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BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners

Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta​​​​​​​
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes

While you're here
Elvis
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MATCH INFO

AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports

Analysis

Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.

The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement. 

We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment. 

 

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE squad to face Ireland

Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

Updated: September 01, 2021, 7:05 AM`