As the doors of Dubai Expo 2020 prepared to close, the amount of Post-it notes with goodwill messages to the people of Ukraine only grew on the walls of the nation’s pavilion.
It is five weeks since Russia invaded its neighbour and the plans for many of those working inside Ukraine’s Pavilion were forcibly changed.
Staff previously spoke of their shock and horror at what transpired.
Now they are reluctant to speak openly about what happens next to those returning to Kyiv, while others are planning a new life in Dubai.
Pavilion director Ivan Sydorenko, will remain on site to supervise the dismantling of exhibits, including the thousands of Post-it notes left by visitors that now spread across three of the building’s four floors.
“For now, my only focus is Expo,” said Mr Sydorenko, as he began preparations to hand over the pavilion to the event organisers in a few weeks.
The wall has been signed by presidents, diplomats and pavilion staff, as well as thousands of Expo visitors.
Mr Sydorenko said he planned to return to Ukraine to be with his family.
A screen displaying a QR code inside allowed visitors to donate to a relief fund for those in Ukraine affected by the turmoil.
The UAE has also played its part, delivering humanitarian aid and extending the terms of visas.
Ukrainians who arrived before March 3, 2022, can stay in the country for up to a year without being subject to fines.
Those arriving after March 3 will have visa-free entry for 30 days, as was the policy previously.
Meanwhile at the multicoloured dome that is the Russian pavilion, Ukrainian nationals worked alongside their Russian counterparts.
One Ukrainian, who did not want to give her name or speak of the invasion, said life had continued as normal inside the Russian pavilion where she worked, despite the two nations being at war.
“Russia has many nationalities living together, so why is it a surprise we are together here?” she said.
Russian staff were flown to Dubai as part of a trade agency, to support Russian businesses in Dubai. Others were already living in the UAE and seconded to work at the world’s fair.
One of those Russian businesses is NtechLab, a software firm that used pavilion cameras to deliver visitor numbers, their age and gender and is now working with businesses in Dubai to improve their security.
“Our agency was working in Dubai before Expo, and I’ll continue working with my team in the media sphere here,” said Katarina, the Russia pavilion’s director of international communications.
Expo 2020 Dubai final day — in pictures
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Air show display on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Nearly 23 million visits had been made to Expo by the start of this week after the more than one million visits recorded from Friday to Sunday. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Expo has hosted 30,000 events, including government summits and 5,000 sporting fixtures. Pawan Singh / The National -
A spectacular closing ceremony will be 'end of a beautiful journey' for Expo 2020 Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National -
It's a party atmosphere for the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Some funky costumes to mark the end of the hugely successful event in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Big screens put up on the last day of the world's fair in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
People flock to the merchandise outlet on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Kids enjoying the dance class at the Sustainability pavilion as Expo 2020 Dubai nears its conclusion. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai could watch the closing ceremony on more than 20 giant screens across the site, including at the Jubilee Stage, Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre and Festival Garden. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors enjoy the water feature on the last day. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors arrive for the expo's final day. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Crowds on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Visitors arrive at the world's fair for the last time. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Preparations going on for the closing ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National -
Reem Al Hashimy, centre, Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general of Expo 2020 Dubai, on the final day of the Expo. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Ms Al Hashimy opens the Sustainability Portal on the Expo's final day. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Visitors queue to enter the site on the final day. Pawan Singh / The National -
Expo staff at the site entrances faced a busy start to the final day. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors queue at the security gate. Pawan Singh / The National -
Early arrivals on the final day of the world fair. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors taking selfies to record their presence on the final day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Dubai police prepare for the final day at the world's fair. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors approach Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National -
A rare opportunity to capture a quiet moment at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors on the last day at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
