![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JGDX7AQHOVIFRNYT27PG3JNX4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=86c6380584a6c8be33f38f8758bc7a802da78669d1f7dc4010062e00ce68998e&width=400&height=225)
Saudi Arabia’s striking pavilion. Photo: AFP
Muay Thai fighter Dong Theeramate with Salma, 6, from Jordan outside the Thailand pavilion
Musicians perform outside the Opportunity pavilion
Performers outside the Iranian pavilion
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EAXZK2PJQ5AQBMVZEEGSC4MIUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=7ca6c6fe98a166cd9ed5122c23d71fc09fa001db17c3498478bc3f9f3e65be47&width=400&height=225)
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet speaks in a live feed from space to guests at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HHRHRZRTSJA4HMRXQ67VQFYKVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=df4d0e864a3db9fb31b1c60f7b763b1e013b5e9bb0bb5f2e46511da91557d7bd&width=400&height=225)
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet speaks in a live feed from space to guests at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RL4QXD4GTVHTRHA3XB2KBW62S4.jpg?smart=true&auth=2cf3c01bc978f4f63407eb9c3bd0f396711c68d5bd3e026933fb0f6a55752283&width=400&height=225)
Young representatives of France and the UAE hear the address from space by French astronaut Thomas Pesquet. Photo: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2I3DDHCNYFFYXJIUZQIBKCTZME.jpg?smart=true&auth=637c8b3f832b317e891e45743bac29e3548d8fd03299289615ed384d0ba03b65&width=400&height=225)
Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, attends Expo 2020’s France Day. Photo: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AZZUZZVULVA43H3RDUW34TNOF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=9eefc41a26d21f5b759a9751fb800871ef2cd2b1d29c6eb84789ccbfb349214e&width=400&height=225)
Official ceremony of France National Day at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QGEJZ43A6ZCO3GNI5SY6SA45TE.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d01edecf60a1c2f776b4091738538529358a72d162ec87a7e2120ec7bc0882d4&width=400&height=225)
The performance Les Cosmopodes takes place at Sea Plaza. Expo 2020
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IWFUUGYP2REUPDULKS4RK72SOE.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ee8927ced726445bfca4912715c107339d7dcebce8807a6c069f4e0483933072&width=400&height=225)
Performers on Ghaf Avenue. Photo: Expo 2020
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F7XJDFXAF3Z52YTE35RXYBJSII.jpg?smart=true&auth=d475f3443ca44d53b62d82d01dceee9f4170e0c4a57287a4ab0982476c5f70a7&width=400&height=225)
People perform during a parade for the Expo 2020 France Day. Photo: EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QMVAS6EZHPGMNDEHXMLUFX6FTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=8ac689d3cee0fb8f74fb5b54f40f7c70ed0522a04d8eb62fa742263929a21cff&width=400&height=225)
Visitors explore the interior of the Moroccan pavilion. Photo: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H2MKKSHMI5IT7NDSRNV7VXXHQ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=7a60d1658846305a5b8764b689753ec9dcdd78f31a22641eb4eba056986bf5d5&width=400&height=225)
The mascots Rashid and Latifa go on parade. Photo: AFP
People parade with France’s national flag
A air display by Patrouille de France for Expo 2020’s France Day
The Aquafina Drop building was made with 41,000 recyclable cans
The Aquafina Drop building was made with 41,000 recyclable cans
Justin Homer plays a steel drum to represent Trinidad and Tobago
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HRI2JDVLYRELDITVFA3Y657XHU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=0115751de0ab247b14ece95165a132a2279fcc7acb5992b45aef304769bb4e7a&width=400&height=225)
A parade along Ghaf Avenue celebrates all things French
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C3FCDJMRCR53YST2YJQCSGVNGU.jpg?smart=true&auth=56ba523c7c2307494f91345654a8cd533b7c80f3e9d7b3cbfdf241d041ddbfff&width=400&height=225)
A woman walks in front of the UK pavilion. Photo: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5RKOW5JRVF5CRL5G3MD55T7SXA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1506fdbb788a0b8b0993b99051be11204a3accf550391490d2da19ebee29da5d&width=400&height=225)
Visitors explore the interior of the German pavilion. Photo: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W7FETLPVIU637XUWYN5H7O552M.jpg?smart=true&auth=1a2eaf7251f2ab851eeab12b6b6b67282c42d12dd0fcf5a06fa53bb7d63376ef&width=400&height=225)
Young visitors explore the interior of the German pavilion. Photo: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EFZ6ATK4XJU3CS7D6FKA7W6R74.jpg?smart=true&auth=70d1213b6a7f6337fa37072bcbb7d9517c8b85cf3fa84ece3881041a437cada0&width=400&height=225)
Visitors explore the interior of the German pavilion. Photo: AFP
The indoor slide at the Luxembourg Pavilion. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Shireen Shakeel rides the slide inside the Luxembourg pavilion. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Visitors ride the Expo Explorer train. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GREMWPT5JBFINPI34C3PS6WWCY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=2d7b6ff47b1e1670698d521e2cc24a2a49ab1ee5f865b3757fedce79a0d3e3a2&width=400&height=225)
Visitors enter the Sustainability district. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HQ2GXREBQFFZZJFHUEWDNIRXWQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=3fcbaf5d31443ae1c99dd601182bd2c64911ac81c5e113f0cb307cb74853f11f&width=400&height=225)
The architecture at the world’s fair is simply breathtaking. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JGDX7AQHOVIFRNYT27PG3JNX4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=86c6380584a6c8be33f38f8758bc7a802da78669d1f7dc4010062e00ce68998e&width=400&height=225)
Saudi Arabia’s striking pavilion. Photo: AFP
Muay Thai fighter Dong Theeramate with Salma, 6, from Jordan outside the Thailand pavilion
Musicians perform outside the Opportunity pavilion
Performers outside the Iranian pavilion
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EAXZK2PJQ5AQBMVZEEGSC4MIUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=7ca6c6fe98a166cd9ed5122c23d71fc09fa001db17c3498478bc3f9f3e65be47&width=400&height=225)
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet speaks in a live feed from space to guests at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HHRHRZRTSJA4HMRXQ67VQFYKVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=df4d0e864a3db9fb31b1c60f7b763b1e013b5e9bb0bb5f2e46511da91557d7bd&width=400&height=225)
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet speaks in a live feed from space to guests at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RL4QXD4GTVHTRHA3XB2KBW62S4.jpg?smart=true&auth=2cf3c01bc978f4f63407eb9c3bd0f396711c68d5bd3e026933fb0f6a55752283&width=400&height=225)
Young representatives of France and the UAE hear the address from space by French astronaut Thomas Pesquet. Photo: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2I3DDHCNYFFYXJIUZQIBKCTZME.jpg?smart=true&auth=637c8b3f832b317e891e45743bac29e3548d8fd03299289615ed384d0ba03b65&width=400&height=225)
Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, attends Expo 2020’s France Day. Photo: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AZZUZZVULVA43H3RDUW34TNOF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=9eefc41a26d21f5b759a9751fb800871ef2cd2b1d29c6eb84789ccbfb349214e&width=400&height=225)
Official ceremony of France National Day at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QGEJZ43A6ZCO3GNI5SY6SA45TE.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d01edecf60a1c2f776b4091738538529358a72d162ec87a7e2120ec7bc0882d4&width=400&height=225)
The performance Les Cosmopodes takes place at Sea Plaza. Expo 2020
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IWFUUGYP2REUPDULKS4RK72SOE.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ee8927ced726445bfca4912715c107339d7dcebce8807a6c069f4e0483933072&width=400&height=225)
Performers on Ghaf Avenue. Photo: Expo 2020
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F7XJDFXAF3Z52YTE35RXYBJSII.jpg?smart=true&auth=d475f3443ca44d53b62d82d01dceee9f4170e0c4a57287a4ab0982476c5f70a7&width=400&height=225)
People perform during a parade for the Expo 2020 France Day. Photo: EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QMVAS6EZHPGMNDEHXMLUFX6FTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=8ac689d3cee0fb8f74fb5b54f40f7c70ed0522a04d8eb62fa742263929a21cff&width=400&height=225)
Visitors explore the interior of the Moroccan pavilion. Photo: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H2MKKSHMI5IT7NDSRNV7VXXHQ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=7a60d1658846305a5b8764b689753ec9dcdd78f31a22641eb4eba056986bf5d5&width=400&height=225)
The mascots Rashid and Latifa go on parade. Photo: AFP
People parade with France’s national flag
A air display by Patrouille de France for Expo 2020’s France Day
The Aquafina Drop building was made with 41,000 recyclable cans
The Aquafina Drop building was made with 41,000 recyclable cans
Justin Homer plays a steel drum to represent Trinidad and Tobago
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HRI2JDVLYRELDITVFA3Y657XHU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=0115751de0ab247b14ece95165a132a2279fcc7acb5992b45aef304769bb4e7a&width=400&height=225)
A parade along Ghaf Avenue celebrates all things French
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C3FCDJMRCR53YST2YJQCSGVNGU.jpg?smart=true&auth=56ba523c7c2307494f91345654a8cd533b7c80f3e9d7b3cbfdf241d041ddbfff&width=400&height=225)
A woman walks in front of the UK pavilion. Photo: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5RKOW5JRVF5CRL5G3MD55T7SXA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1506fdbb788a0b8b0993b99051be11204a3accf550391490d2da19ebee29da5d&width=400&height=225)
Visitors explore the interior of the German pavilion. Photo: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W7FETLPVIU637XUWYN5H7O552M.jpg?smart=true&auth=1a2eaf7251f2ab851eeab12b6b6b67282c42d12dd0fcf5a06fa53bb7d63376ef&width=400&height=225)
Young visitors explore the interior of the German pavilion. Photo: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EFZ6ATK4XJU3CS7D6FKA7W6R74.jpg?smart=true&auth=70d1213b6a7f6337fa37072bcbb7d9517c8b85cf3fa84ece3881041a437cada0&width=400&height=225)
Visitors explore the interior of the German pavilion. Photo: AFP
The indoor slide at the Luxembourg Pavilion. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Shireen Shakeel rides the slide inside the Luxembourg pavilion. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Visitors ride the Expo Explorer train. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GREMWPT5JBFINPI34C3PS6WWCY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=2d7b6ff47b1e1670698d521e2cc24a2a49ab1ee5f865b3757fedce79a0d3e3a2&width=400&height=225)
Visitors enter the Sustainability district. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HQ2GXREBQFFZZJFHUEWDNIRXWQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=3fcbaf5d31443ae1c99dd601182bd2c64911ac81c5e113f0cb307cb74853f11f&width=400&height=225)
The architecture at the world’s fair is simply breathtaking. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JGDX7AQHOVIFRNYT27PG3JNX4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=86c6380584a6c8be33f38f8758bc7a802da78669d1f7dc4010062e00ce68998e&width=400&height=225)
Saudi Arabia’s striking pavilion. Photo: AFP