Visit to World Expo 2020

World Expos, officially known as International Registered Exhibitions, are a global gathering of nations dedicated to finding solutions to pressing challenges of our time. It is a global event that aims at educating the public, promoting progress, and fostering cooperation. It is the world's largest meeting place, bringing together countries, the private sector, the civil society and the general public around interactive exhibitions, live shows, workshops, conferences and much more.

Just like how Olympics, which happens once in 4 years serves as an opportunity for each country to prove their athletic might, the World Expo which happens once in 5 years, serves as an opportunity for countries to exhibit their intellectual and financial might. There has been 35 World Expos so far, including the one, that just concluded in Dubai.

The spectacular World Expo 2020 was hosted by Dubai, between 1st October 2021 and 31st March 2022, with grandeur. People from different parts of the world travelled there to witness the amazing Expo. I had the opportunity to visit the Expo 2020, personally and therefore would like to share my experience.

 

To visit a Global Expo has been on my bucket list. The Dubai Expo 2020 was a much hyped about event, in all media which increased my desire to go and see it. However due to the pandemic travel restrictions and strict adherence to testing protocols, I was hesitant to go. By the end of February 2022, when the third wave of COVID seemed to touch the lower ebb, the thought sprang up again, and I decided I will go and see it.

 

As I entered the Expo ground, it felt like a dream come true moment.  It was the similar type of excitement, that I experienced when I visited the Disneyland for the first time.  There was a huge welcome arch and the EXPO Sign board, gave the feeling of walking into a new world, by itself.  Yes, with 192 counties participating, it really felt like walking through a miniature version of the world, within this huge 1000+ acres eco system.  To make this experience more real, there was the Expo passport, in which we could get the country seal of each country pavilion we visited.  You could also try out different type of food from the respective country pavilion’s cafeteria. With visitors, from across the globe the place felt truly cosmopolitan.

 

The Expo 2020 predominantly had 3 sectors classified based on the theme Mobility, Opportunity, and Sustainability. So, there were three separate entry gates for each of the theme entrance and three vast parking areas for each gate. EV shuttle service, was available to take the visitors to the entrance. In the central part of the Expo was a huge dome like structure which was the connecting point of the three thematic sectors.

 

Each of these sectors had the specific theme-based pavilion, a number of country pavilions, visitor center with all amenities taking into consideration the visitors convenience. It was a thoughtfully planned layout.

 

As there was a big crowd and long queues, to enter each of the country pavilions, I could visit just 8 of them, which included Australia, Denmark, Russia, Finland, Switzerland, Italy, Israel and India. Each of them were unique, in its own way.

 

I also visited 2 of the 3 theme pavilions, i.e Mobility Pavilion and Opportunity Pavilion. The Mobility pavilion literally blew my mind. It was filled with technology that we can look forward to, in the future. The Opportunity Pavilion had the tag line “Mission Possible”, and showcased the UN Sustainable Development Goals initiatives, and how each one of us are collectively responsible for making those goals happen.

There were periodical stage performances, performed by celebrities across the globe, street shows and parades, which was engaging and added a fun element to the Expo.  The Expo takes a totally different look at night, with the amazing lighting and sounds, and was a treat to our eyes.

As my visit to the Expo was for just 2 days, I felt a constraint of time, to fully experience the Expo. However, this visit served as an eye opener, as to how an Expo looks like and feels like.

 

The next Expo 2025 is planned in Japan. Well, this might just be the right reason to visit that fascinating country.  What do you think?

   D. Senthil Kannan,

   CEO, PALMS Training & Consulting (P) Ltd., Tuticorin.

  Author of "Transformational Thoughts" - A Journey of learning 

  Email: senthilkannand@gmail.com