9 Reasons to Plan a Trip to Dubai for the Expo

Dubai is hosting the first ever World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, so why not avail the recent relaxation in entry rules from India to visit this extravagant show The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has decided to issue tourist visas for travellers from India (subject to terms and conditions).

Called Expo 2020 Dubai (Expo), it is being held from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. In this pandemic riddled world, the theme &lsquoConnecting Minds and Creating the Future&rsquo is expected to inspire people through the sub-themes sustainability, mobility and opportunity. Each sub-theme has a dedicated district.

The Expo is led by Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Affairs. Her leadership has not only taken the world expo to new heights most agree but also broken the stereotype image of Arab women.

There are different sections highlighting themes. The Sustainability District showcases &lsquowhat countries are doing to champion sustainability, and experience how the human race can enjoy living in harmony with nature in a high-tech future&rsquo. The Mobility District projects &lsquoconnections to drive the world forward, breaking down the divide between the physical and digital worlds&rsquo. The Opportunity District focuses on &lsquohow our lives and actions are interconnected&rsquo.

The Expo was scheduled to be unveiled last year but was postponed owing to the resurgence in pandemic. According to the organisers, 191 nations from across the world have confirmed their participation. Apart from the country specific pavilions, there are marquees belonging to multilateral organisations, businesses and educational institutions.

Although it may not be possible to see all the pavilions at one go, here are a few that you cannot miss.

India Pavilion

The four-storeyed pavilion, one of the largest at the Expo, has been designed to showcase the nation&rsquos 75^th&nbspanniversary of Independence. The fa&ccedilade of the pavilion consists of 600 colourful kinetic-capable blocks to present the theme &lsquoIndia on the Move&rsquo. The logo, a Chakra (Wheel), in hues of the tricolour, reiterates the theme. Apart from showcasing opportunities in India in various fields, there will also be star-studded nights, cultural festivals and stalls where visitors can sample Indian cuisine.

UAE Pavilion

The four-storied pavilion, located in the Opportunity district, is designed like a falcon taking a flight. You can learn about the Emirati culture and achievements as you go through the exhibitions. The top floor of the pavilion has a dedicated hospitality space.

African Union Pavilion

Located in the Opportunity district, apart from the business aspects, you may go on a cultural discovery here. Enjoy the boundless traditional sights and sounds of the amazing continent through music, film, dance, cityscapes and cultural artefacts, and a profiling of Africa's creative talent and successful women.

The Netherlands Pavilion

Designed like a biotope, the pavilion combines technology, environment and aesthetics through its design and exhibitions. For example, enjoy a kaleidoscopic play of colours as natural light filters through the specially made solar panel roof. The panels made from polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, are lightweight plastic modules which can simultaneously generate solar power.

Ethiopia Pavilion

Meet humankind&rsquos oldest ancestor, Lucy, which made Ethiopia being tagged the &lsquocradle of humanity&rsquo. It is a replica of the 3.2-million-year-old skeleton which was found in north-eastern Ethiopia in 1974. Go on a journey just as the early people did. Starting from a dimly lit cave, you travel through the country&rsquos pre-historic phase to end in a modern factory which highlights Ethopia&rsquos manufacturing industry.

Italy Pavilion

You cannot miss the spectacular life-size replica of Michelangelo&rsquos David. The 16^th&nbspcentury masterpiece has been created by using one of the world&rsquos largest 3D printers.

Eateries with a Thematic Twist

One of the spectacular culinary shows will be &lsquoThe Future of Food Epochal Banquet&rsquo by London-based creative studio Bompas & Parr, housed in the Sustainability district. Partake of food as it might be in 2321. The ground-breaking foodie spread has been inspired by space, microbiology, artificial intelligence and hyper intelligence from super-light delicacies formed using the same technique used by NASA to collect comet dust, to edible creations that glow in the dark, flavour-changing desserts, ultra-rare ingredients including new-to-the-plate plants, and much more.

Expo Beats

This monthly festival will run through the duration of the Expo, showcasing global music, dance and culture traditional to contemporary from island influences of the Caribbean, Hawaii and the Philippines to the tribal rhythms of Bangladesh and Tanzania, to name a few. Late Nights @ Expo will connect artists and people from across the world every Thursday and Friday night during Expo 2020 will be an extravaganza of musical styles and cultural expressions with headliners such as Jordanian singer-songwriter Dina Stars funk-rock band Carl & The Reda Mafia Chilean musician, songwriter and singer Sergio Catalan Serbian singer-songwriter Aleksandra Krstic and Jaye & Foe, a six-piece multi-instrumentalist Dubai band known for brassy, jazzy tinged folk sounds with elements of reggae, ska and gypsy rhythms.

Architectural Marvels

Called the &lsquobeating heart of Expo 2020&rsquo, it is almost as wide as two Airbus 380s wing to wing. Do not miss the trellis and the material used to create the world&rsquos largest 360 degree projection surface. Take a ride on the world&rsquos largest passenger lift at the Mobility pavilion. It has a capacity to transport more than 160 people at a time. Catch a bird&rsquos eye view from the top of the rotating observation tower - The Garden in the Sky.

Note All visitors, including those who are eligible for free tickets, must obtain a ticket to enter Expo 2020. Certain peak days require prior reservation via the Expo 2020 website or mobile app, and entry will be allowed based on site capacity, according to the organisers. The Season Pass is valid for unlimited entries (subject to terms and conditions) for the entire six months, between October 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022

For more details, tickets, etc. see here.