Dubai: More than one million people visited the UAE pavillion at the Expo Milano 2015, familiarising themselves with the country’s many facets. Though the UAE marks it on December 2, a UAE national day celebration took place in October at the UAE pavilion in Milan, highlighting both the country’s traditional identity and its rich creativity, which is propelling it forward.
The UAE National Day celebrations at Expo Milano 2015 were organised by the Expo 2020 Dubai team with an array of cultural activities, including an exhibition highlighting the heritage of the UAE, representing the desert, oasis, marine life and modernity. It was an event that introduced Dubai to an international audience.
The UAE pavilion, designed in such a way that it can be dismantled and rebuilt in Dubai, attracted more than 1.1 million visitors from around the world over six months.
The UAE national day celebrations, which took place in October 20, marked the start of the 5-year countdown to the opening of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Visitors were given a gift box with dates, and a card with the message ‘Save the Date’ for the Expo in Dubai on October 20, 2020.
A colourful parade was held to mark the UAE Day at Expo Milano 2015, which included Ayala dancers and drummers, children’s dance, Italian hosts in traditional Emirati attire and professionals as UAE national flag bearers. Dubai Culture and Arts Authority’s participation in the celebrations builds on its support for activities being held as part of the preparations for Expo 2020.
Although the Expo Milano wrapped up on October 31, it was an ideal platform for Dubai to establish itself as the future host of the Expo.
Visitors to the UAE pavilion were given the chance to send their felicitations and good wishes to the people of Dubai and the UAE under the hashtag, #DearDubai. Dubai Culture provided iPads at the venue with a special app that featured a number of customised post-cards made of artwork and photographs by Emirati and UAE-based artists. Visitors only had to choose an image, key in their wishes and send it, with the greetings being shared on Dubai Culture’s social media networks.
As part of the celebrations, Dubai Culture showcased the first edition of Creative Dubai: Arts, Culture and Design Capital, a book that chronicles the evolution of Dubai’s creative industry with insightful interviews with creative professionals who have been an integral part of the rewarding journey. It documents the progress that Dubai has made in driving the creative sector over the years.
To be officially launched in Dubai later this year, the book showcases initiatives by the government and the private sector which helped the city achieve transformational growth as a cultural capital, taking it one step closer to achieving the goal of Dubai Plan 2021. The plan involves establishing Dubai as a “city of happy, creative and empowered people”.
Shaikha Latifa Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: “The UAE National Day celebrations at Expo Milano 2015 served as a compelling tribute to the cosmopolitan outlook of the UAE and Dubai as well as our rich heritage that is the cornerstone of our national identity. As we prepare to welcome the world to our city for the Expo 2020, Dubai Culture will continue to build the spirit of global collaboration, international partnerships and cultural exchange through various initiatives.”
Shaikha Latifa said that the celebrations were a great way to introduce Dubai and the UAE to an international audience ahead of the Expo 2020.
“‘Creative Dubai’ has been produced as an introductory display of the different facets that make up the city’s cultural and design industries, and through the perspective of the creative community, underlines the evolution of the city’s creative scene,. Our goal is to work with the creative community around the world and support the preparations of Expo 2020 Dubai to host the ‘best Expo’ the world has witnessed,” she said.
