Dubai – The Egyptian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai saw the largest turnout in the international event. A total of 350,000 people visited the Expo within only two months since its inception. Daily News Egypt toured the Expo and visited several pavilions of different countries.
The Egyptian pavilion is located in a special spot next to the UAE and Switzerland pavilions. The design of the Egyptian pavilion was inspired by the ancient civilization with hieroglyphic writings and a picture of Tutankhamun. The main entrance resembles the design of the Giza Pyramids.
At the entrance of the Egyptian pavilion, you will see a large digital screen which acts as the virtual tour guide. It offers a three-dimensional experience as you travel in time, navigating through the history of Egypt. The pavilion also boasts three statues from Ancient Egypt, as well as the sarcophagus of the priest Psamtik, which was recently discovered in Saqqara, and a number of clone statues.
The pavilion includes several screens to display the most prominent tourist attractions in Egypt, historical streets like Khan al-Khalili, and beaches of the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
Egypt has devoted an area in its pavilion to displaying modern national projects that the state is working on at the present time, which include smart cities like the New Administrative Capital, New Alamein City, and Galala City, and the new road networks.
The economic aspect was also showcased. A screen was dedicated to showcase the Suez Canal and its economic importance for international trade, as well as some specialized industrial cities such as El-Rubiki city for leather, Damietta city for furniture, and others. Another screen showcased the history of Egyptian cinema. The Islamic and Coptic civilizations also had a dedicated part at the pavilion, all surrounded by walls covered with hieroglyphs.
Total 192 countries, including 21 Arab states, participate in the activities of Expo 2020 Dubai, which will conclude in March 2022, in addition to the host country, the UAE.
The Swiss pavilion is located next to the Egyptian pavilion, with a different design, as the front of the building is covered by mirrors reflecting the red carpet, creating the Swiss flag. It also sought to combine the nature of Switzerland and its advanced technology.
Visitors to the pavilion experience a unique experience in the heart of nature by entering a road that goes uphill surrounded by dense fog, like those you would see atop the mountains of Switzerland. When you reach the top, you will get a panoramic view of the mountains of Switzerland, a top tourist attraction there.
A section was also devoted to exploring Swiss achievements by presenting the country’s most prominent and successful innovations, in the industrial, scientific and medical fields.
As for Germany, it did not focus on displaying its civilization, but rather on innovations and sustainable solutions, new and renewable energy, and mechanisms to deal with climate change.
The German Pavilion consists of a vertical group of building units surrounded by a common structure, the way gardens surround university campuses in Germany, and the multiplicity of building units symbolizes German federalism and diversity in the economy and scientific research.
Germany also devoted a section for natural reserves and dealing with climate change. It showed in its pavilion that the countries of the world invest about $45bn to preserve natural reserves, and these investments generate $5.2bn in ecosystem services.
The UAE pavilion is different, designed in the shape of a falcon. It consists of four floors with a total area of 15,000 sqm. It is located in the Opportunity District. It aims to introduce the Emirati culture through a variety of content, and presents heritage shows that give visitors the opportunity to get acquainted closely with the UAE folklore. It also shows the steps the state takes to develop the desert into a tourist city and a business city for Dubai.
