Expo 2020 Dubai: Tracing the UAE’s journey into space age

We stand at the doorstep of the UAE Pavilion, surrounded by the splendour of Expo 2020 Dubai, full of pride and honour and preparing to enter a space that proudly reflects the UAE’s identity and pioneering spirit. From its ancient roots as a crossroads for people, goods, and ideas to its transition into a unified nation that is home to people from over 200 nationalities, balance and connectivity between the country’s past and future are highlighted in the pavilion.

From the times of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's founding father, to the birth of the Land of Dreamers Who Do, a journey immersed in ambition and determination is beautifully portrayed at the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020.

We are greeted by the spectacular architecture of the three-story UAE Pavilion meticulously designed by world-renowned architect, Dr Santiago Calatrava, and inspired by the vision of the falcon.

The exterior takes the shape of the state’s national bird spreading its 28 adjustable wings and serves as a pure embodiment of the UAE’s thriving spirit, pride, and values, as well as a guarantee of a memorable experience behind its doors. The building and event are both a multi-sensory immersive experience that profoundly touch our hearts and nourish our souls.

A fresh start in a dreamy oasis transports us back to where it all began as we walk down the Pavilion’s exterior ramp. We close our eyes and imagine how water was transported from the mountains to villages and fields in ancient times. We hear

the soothing splashes of Al Falaj’s water; the ancient irrigation system in the United Arab Emirates used a raised plinth of stone as its primary ‘source’ of water, usually coming from the Hajar Mountain.

This is a flashback to the tenacious souls who have persevered through all adversity, an experience that fosters a greater understanding of the country’s ancestors’ struggles and tells the story of the nation’s history.

Then, as we make our way to the Majlis nestled under the wings of the building, Oasis invites us to smell and feel natural trees and flora from across the UAE. Following the curved wall of the building are a series of seating bays that pay tribute to a keystone of Emirati hospitality – the Majlis. The experience helps us to gain a better grasp and deeper understanding of the thriving culture, identity, and warm hospitality of the UAE. We are reminded of the story of a rich heritage and long-standing values that have contributed to the brighter present. We sit down to relax amid the contemporary wool cushions enveloped in traditional black and white Al Sadu woven patterns; even the seating reflects on the country’s faith and customs integral to its foundation.

Near the Majlis seating area, four steel buildings with viewing windows on all four sides come into view. The Biographs are yet another breathtaking experience that allow visitors to learn about UAE culture via the personal experiences and memories of Emiratis and long-term residents who have lived in the nation for more than fifty years. We peer through a peephole, giddy as children, to see mini-exhibits of family photos, snippets of home videos, personal objects, and sound recordings, all of which provide unique glimpses into the personal lives of residents of the UAE. They elevate our collective sense of ambition through authentic storytelling.

The Desert of Dreams, our next stop, illustrates the narrative of the UAE’s evolution from a traditional to a modern nation. We enter a dreamy setting that introduces us to Emirati values, forming landscapes in which we learn about Sheikh Zayed’s visionary wisdom, the unification of the Emirates, and the remarkably rapid transformation of a country that has now become a home to people from all over the world.

Through scenography, lighting, projected content, spatialised sound, and the deliberate juxtaposition of sand and glass, this space takes us on a multi-sensory, immersive journey through the UAE’s evolution. The country is transformed from a region of primitive nomadic life to the thriving, modern nation we know today. The human experience of living in this environment is examined through its evolution and represented in images projected on sand and glass.

We continue our adventure when entering Generations, a space that serves as a holding area before the Pearl theatre in which the next big exhibit resides: the Dreaming Together film. We have a moment within the Pearl, the focal point of the UAE Pavilion experience, that sends shivers down our spine and overwhelms us with pride. We are engulfed in a tremendously fascinating story in this cinematic climax that illustrates the basic ideals of collaborative growth that have made the UAE what it is today and underlie its highly optimistic view of the future.

While evoking the craft and storytelling of Al Sadu weaving, the animation integrates elements of tribal life and the desert environment. The weaving motif allows the images to freely move across the screen, immersing us in a fluid storytelling realm filled with sand swirling in the wind, flowing water channels, a stormy sea, shoals of fish, an Arabian Oryx herd, and a rocket’s smoke trail. Everything is dynamic.

Unaware of how we emerged under the Oculus of the building, we are struck by the brightness of the space while still under the influence of the dreamy atmosphere of the Pearl. An array of nine sculptural media structures brings us back to reality and encourages curiosity and exploration. The forms are inspired by the natural elegance and geometry of the UAE’s desert roses.

The Desert Roses feature short documentary-style films about the UAE Dreamers who are building the country’s future. We end our journey with the Dreamers Who Do, an exhibit highlighting the collection of individuals across the nation who embody the spirit of the UAE and carry forward the legacy forged by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The dreamers represent Emiratis and residents that call the UAE home, but are a small sample of the UAE’s rich culture and changing economy. They truly demonstrate the UAE’s values of embracing openness, promoting culture, encouraging business, and generating and sharing knowledge for the greater good.