Emirati women who make the UAE shine at Expo Osaka 2025 - in pictures
Mariam Al Memari, head of the UAE Expo Office and Shaikha Al Ketbi, UAE pavilion creative director lead a team who bring to life the UAE pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
The pavilion features a forest of 90 columns made from agricultural date palm waste
The glass-encased UAE pavilion makes passers-by curious to explore the exhibits within
Mariam Al Memari, head of the UAE Expo Office, says the expo is special to the UAE
Shaikha Al Ketbi, UAE pavilion creative director, hopes visitors remember the UAE's hospitality
Emirati poet Shamma Al Bastaki, oversees content development and story telling of the UAE pavilion
The team has worked closely with hundreds of Emirati and Japanese craftspeople, woodcarvers, architects and designers
The pavilion hosts workshops on sadu, khoos and talli, traditional braiding, weaving and decorative embroidery, demonstrated by Emirati craftswomen
Visitors who sign in for workshops take home souvenirs such as keychains and bookmarks
Japanese residents and tourists listen intently to instructions at a craft session
Workshops and events will be held at the pavilion over the next six months
A performance at the UAE pavilion
Children swipe through interactive information about the UAE's advances in healthcare and space exploration
A khanjar or traditional Emirati dagger is among the exhibits on display
A traditional loom is one of the handicrafts on display
Displays tell inspirational stories of UAE citizens
