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From a parade of stilt-walkers dressed as aliens to traditional cuisines in country pavilions – the entertainment continued on the second day of Expo 2020 Dubai.
The vast Dubai South site came to life with festivities from the first national day celebration, where France putting on a grand show for visitors.
Pupils from UAE-based French schools paraded down the Avenue of the Nations, proudly waving their national flag.
Minutes later, the skies over the site were painted in the French national colours – white, red and blue – by pilots of the Patrouille de France, the aerobatics unit of the French Air and Space Force.
France’s official holiday, Bastille Day, is celebrated on July 14, but many of the 192 countries participating in the six-month extravaganza will host their own day to show off everything from culture, food and technology.
A speech by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Expo 2020 Dubai Commissioner General and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, spoke of the ties between the UAE and France.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also attended to celebrate his country’s day at the “world’s greatest show”.
“In 1889, the Eifel Tower was the gate of the world exposition that took place in Paris, becoming a lasting legacy symbol of French ingenuity,” Sheikh Nahyan said.
“As a founding member, France has had a remarkable history when it comes to international exhibitions, having hosted six world expos throughout the years.
“In this regard, we are pleased to celebrate you and your legacy today as one of our most actively engaged participants.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, visited the French pavilion and met Mr Le Drian.
He was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
The national day festivities started with Mister Sigrid, a hat-maker, who dressed visitors with quirky headwear in the colours of the French flag.
Pilots with the Patrouille de France flew over the Expo site, turning heads as they performed aerobatics.
“It was a great show. The pilots performed really good stunts, and we felt very proud seeing the colours of our national flag over the Expo site,” visitor Adrienne Martin said.
Stilt-walkers dressed as aliens “invaded” the Mobility District – home of the French pavilion – and delighted children.
They are part the Les Cosmopodes performance show, which involves “silver creatures” who land on Earth and make contact with humans.
The evening drew in more visitors who enjoyed musical performances and light shows from points across the world’s fair.
Persian musical artists attracted visitors into Iran’s pavilion with traditional songs and instruments.
A crowd gathered around the Pakistan pavilion to watch folk dancers show off the South Asian country’s culture.
Reem Al Hashimy, Expo Director General and Minister of State for International Co-operation, said visitors will have a “remarkable experience” at the event.
"It's so exciting to see visitors come in and explore all of the different pavilions,” she said.
The UAE's hosting of the world's fair has been in the works since 2013.
Since then, a dedicated site the size of 600 football fields has been created in Dubai South.
"We've opened our doors after eight years, nine years of work and one year of a delay because of the pandemic, Ms Al Hashimy said.
"We're continuing to stay safe with our masks, requiring vaccination and negative PCRs but, by and large, this is remarkable.
Saudi Arabia pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai - in pictures
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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SPECS
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MATCH INFO
Confederations Cup Group B
Germany v Chile
Kick-off: Thursday, 10pm (UAE)
Where: Kazan Arena, Kazan
Watch live: Abu Dhabi Sports HD
The Equaliser 2
Director Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Denzel Washington, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, Ashton Sanders
Three stars
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
UAE v United States, T20 International Series
Both matches at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free.
1st match: Friday, 2pm
2nd match: Saturday, 2pm
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Amjad Gul, CP Rizwan, Mohammed Boota, Abdul Shakoor, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
USA squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (captain), Jaskaran Malhotra, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Jannisar Khan, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Hayden Walsh
Biography
Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related
Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.
Family: Wife and three children.
Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
