Dubai: The Expo 2020 logo just got a facelift.
The new design, inspired by a golden ring, was unveiled to the public in Dubai on Sunday by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The new logo was projected onto the Burj Khalifa as crowds of people cheered on.
Speaking about the new logo design, Reem Ebrahim Al Hashemi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of the Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said: “The logo is inspired by an artifact that is found in the archaeological site of Saroug Al Hadeed… it’s a tiny gold object… [that is] very detailed, made of pure gold [and] has very small artistic designs around it.”
Shaikh Mohammad said: “We have chosen an authentic Emirati logo for Dubai Expo 2020. The design of the logo is inspired by a civilisation that existed 4,000 years ago in an area extending from Baynounah in Abu Dhabi to Saroug Al Hadeed in Dubai and from Maliha Valley in Sharjah to the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. This land connected ancient civilisations and we will continue to be a hub that connects the world”.
Thousand come out to see Expo 2020’s new logo
Shaikh Mohammad added: “The Expo 2020 logo represents our message to the world that our civilisation has deep roots. We were and will always be a pot that gathers civilisations and a centre for innovation. Over 4,000 years ago, the people who lived in this land had a deep creative spirit and today the people of this country are building the nation’s future for centuries to come.
Shaikh Mohammad observed: “Dubai is the city of gold, but the minds and hands of our citizens are more precious than gold.”
Al Hashemi said that the reason why the ring inspired the new logo was because it’s circular shape inspires connectivity, resilience and strength.
A competition to create the official logo for Expo 2020 was launched last year, attracting 19,000 participants. Entrants were expected to create a design that reflects the main theme of the event: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. All entries were reviewed by a panel of design experts, while the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee created a shortlist of finalists.
The new Expo 2020 Dubai logo lights up the Burj Khalifa. Picture: Clint Egbert
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, presented awards to the three competition finalists: Mohammad Suhail Bin Ali from Tunisia, Mouza Al Mansouri from the UAE and Valerii IInitski from Moldova.
“Thank you to our finalists and to everyone who submitted their aspirations and ideas for what Expo 2020 would represent. What this shows is that this event has the wholehearted support and belief of the people of the United Arab Emirates. It makes us even more aware of how important it is to produce an utterly exceptional Expo,” Al Hashemi said.
Expo 2020, a six-month exposition that is expected to attract 25 million visitors, will run from October 2020 to April 2021 at Dubai Trade Centre — Jebel Ali, a 438-hectare site equidistant from the centres of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Dubai won the bid to host the event in November 2013.
The winners of the architectural competition to design the theme pavilions for the Expo 2020 were announced about two weeks ago. The winning design for the Opportunity Pavilion was submitted by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), based in Copenhagen and New York, while London-based Foster + Partners are behind the design for the Mobility Pavilion, and Grimshaw Architects submitted the winning design for the Sustainability Pavilion.
“We are hopeful that in July 2016 we will start the building phase,” Al Hashemi said.
Construction at the Expo 2020 site is expected to be completed by 2019.
