Inspiring Climate Action Since 2009
Hi Tribe, only a few weeks left for Expo 2020 to conclude. I’ll highly recommend making use of this lifetime opportunity to visit the World Expo, gain knowledge & open your minds to new ideas!
Over the last 6 months, many of our Tribe members asked me are we restarting Sustainability Tribe’s Community Events once again? And my answer is the same, ‘Yes, after the Expo’. There is so much happening in the town that I really want all of our Tribe to visit the Dubai Expo and make the best out of it.
I visited Expo 2020 many times, sometimes for work, sometimes for leisure, and finally brought you an all-inclusive guide for you to save you some time.
Every pavilion at Expo 2020 has a unique story & display so if you could visit all even better. However, based on how much knowledge you can gain in a visit and what is information everyone ought to know, I have curated this list of the top 12 must-visit pavilions. Some of these pavilions are a bit difficult to understand if you decide to just take a swift walk, but if you decide to pay attention and take the journey as per the setup; I assure you your mind will be blown!
I’m now leaving you to watch this video and decide for yourself, why these pavilions are the best.
And for some fun and hints, here are my nicknames for each of these pavilions :D.
Germany: Sustainability Masterclass- Worth waiting in line for hours if you have any interest in sustainability (our Tribe sure has it a lot). Watch this dedicated video of Campus Germany.
Austria: Mindful Meditation- Go there and pause, open your senses. The only pavilion which has no screens and received many architectural awards.
Netherlands: Circularity – Don’t forget to try out the perfume.
Japan: Suite your sensibility- Sustainability with a Japanese touch.
Terra: Sustainability Mothership- This is the world’s most sustainable building so don’t just play games take a walk around and learn about the building. Read is our dedicated article about Terra to know all the amazing secrets of this building.
Saudi: Get blown away; Russia: Human Brain; Opportunity: Knowledge we all need; Morocco: Hidden gem; Peru: Discover rainforests; Alif: Mobility unfolded; UAE: The amazing host
Expo 2020 is a great place to take your kids of all ages. Even if your kids are visiting Expo Dubai with their schools I still highly recommend taking theme there again. There is so much they could learn there which can be compared to years of classroom teaching or months of traveling around the world. For example, who wouldn’t want to slide down Luxumerb’s giant slide? Kids can see real-life treasures like a rock from the Moon at the US pavilion or the recently discovered coffin of Psamtik in Saqqara at the Egyptian pavilion. Or how about designing your own aircraft with your kids at the Emirates pavilion? Plus there are playgrounds for kids. Must visit features like Expo waterfall. If you are tired of walking around you can relax under the dome of Al Wasl Plaza, the world’s largest projection dome, or at the Jubilee or Al Forsan park and watch amazing live shows and performances happening many times during the day.
Watch this video, where we have featured all must-see, must enjoy pavilions for kids and families in addition to our Top 12 recommendations.
Here are all the other pavilions worth visiting, that have done a wonderful job and deserve special mentions in our guide. For example, the Thailand pavilion is one of the most organized and only pavilions which continued to host shows on stage throughout the 6 months. New Zealand has brought their Maori culture into building design and theme, worth experiencing. Pakistan pavilion has showcased culture and heritage most beautifully. If you are interested in sustainable fashion, sustainable food then Portugal, Spain, Peru are your must-visit pavilions. Smaller pavilions are amazing too. Latvia has done an amazing job in storytelling and so did the bigger pavilion of Philipines. One of my favorites in this list is the Women’s Pavilion, which takes you on an emotional journey and shows the facts and wins on the topic of gender equality.
Watch here Sustainability Tribe’s special list of pavilions,
One of my most important tips is to keep all your senses open when you visit this world’s greatest show. You never know what you’ll come across. For example, I was walking and smelled basil on the expo streets.
While you are at the expo you can also shop around the world. I’m sure there are must be many amazing shopping opportunities at the expo but here are my favorites where you buy some authentic products from countries and also help smaller country pavilions to generate revenue like coffee from Rwanda, handicraft from Madagascar, etc.
It is also a great place to have culinary journeys around the world. A lot of internationally celebrated chefs have their restaurants at Expo 2020 like Rohit Ghai’s Kutir, or various African chef showcasing their food at Alkebulan: The African Dining Hall.
If you are after vegan food then Mudra by Chef Matthew Kenney at the top of Terra- sustainability pavilion is the best, along with XYST on the 1st floor by Matthew Kenney. You can also try Terra cafe on the ground floor or simple plant balls at Ikea cafe at Sweden pavilion. Some of the best restaurants are pavilions like Al Baik at Saudi Pavilion, Shushiro at Japan Pavilion, the restaurant at Peru Pavilion. And don’t forget to take your kids to the Belgium pavilion to have waffles and fries.
If you are looking for quick snacks highly recommend healthier roasted sweet corn, roasted chestnuts, or even ice cream most of these are waste-free snacks too and you can throw peels and cob in organic waste containers.
Once again, I urge you all tribe go visit the Expo 2020 Dubai before you miss this opportunity to learn, enjoy and experience the best of our world is offering and dreaming.
Amruta Kshemkalyani, an expert sustainability professional turned social entrepreneur, is the founder of the Sustainability Tribe, AK Sustainability
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I found this blog very informative, keep up the good work.