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Deep in the heart of Jubilee Park, Jayakrishnan Mullasseerich has finally found himself.
He traces a finger along the carved letters of his name with a satisfied smile, then pulls out his phone to record the moment.
Jayakrishnan is one of more than 200,000 workers from all over the world whose contribution to Dubai Expo 2020 is permanently marked on a row of stone columns next to the Jubilee Park arena.
The monument is the work of renowned architect Asif Khan, who also designed the Expo portals, as well as the Mobility Pavilion.
Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said of the workers: “Each of them deserves our sincere thanks and appreciation for their tremendous efforts.”
During the early days of Expo, a steady stream of workers have been making their way to the monument to seek out their names.
Jayakrishnan, from Kerala, worked on Expo for two years. Seeing his name in stone is “very good”, he says.
Next he seeks out the carved letters of a friend who cannot be there, on another pillar.
He will send a photo of it to the friend, and another photo back home to his family in India.
“They are very proud,” he says.
A dedicated workforce has been key to turning grand plans for Expo 2020 Dubai into a reality – from helping to construct the site to staffing its many attractions during its six-month run.
The world fair opened its doors to the public on Friday – following a stunning opening ceremony the previous evening – in a milestone day that was years in the making.
Millions of visitors are expected to flock to the vast site in the months ahead, taking in more than 190 pavilions and dozens of live shows each day.
They will marvel at sights which have been brought to fruition by the endeavours of those who have worked on building the expo from the ground up since 2015.
Expo 2020 has also developed the Workers’ Portrait Series, which includes images of its workforce, accompanied by their own quotes.
The pictures will be displayed on digital screens in the Public Realm, where they will be seen by visitors from around the world. A selection will also be exhibited at the Expo Media Centre Gallery during the event.
Expo 2020 Dubai - in pictures:
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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 -
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet speaks in a live feed from space to guests at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Victor Besa / The National -
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet speaks in a live feed from space to guests at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Victor Besa / The National -
Young representatives of France and the UAE hear the address from space by French astronaut Thomas Pesquet. Photo: Victor Besa / The National -
Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, attends Expo 2020’s France Day. Photo: Victor Besa / The National -
Official ceremony of France National Day at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Victor Besa / The National -
The performance Les Cosmopodes takes place at Sea Plaza. Expo 2020 -
Performers on Ghaf Avenue. Photo: Expo 2020 -
People perform during a parade for the Expo 2020 France Day. Photo: EPA -
Visitors explore the interior of the Moroccan pavilion. Photo: AFP -
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 -
A parade along Ghaf Avenue celebrates all things French -
A woman walks in front of the UK pavilion. Photo: AFP -
Visitors explore the interior of the German pavilion. Photo: AFP -
Young visitors explore the interior of the German pavilion. Photo: AFP -
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 -
Visitors enter the Sustainability district. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
The architecture at the world’s fair is simply breathtaking. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Saudi Arabia’s striking pavilion. Photo: AFP
