Latest: 'Can't they keep it open forever?' Expo 2020 visitors on what they loved most
Germany, Japan and Pakistan pavilions were among the winners at the Expo 2020 Dubai official participant awards.
A total of 51 gold, silver and bronze awards were handed out during the ceremony, held in Jubilee Park on Wednesday.
Divided into five different categories, the awards recognise three aspects of the pavilions: architecture and landscape (for self-built pavilions only), exhibition design and theme interpretation.
Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands and Singapore came top in the architecture and landscape category.
In exhibition design, Japan, Peru and Morocco were the winners in the self-built category, while Mexico, which features a crochet facade created by 100 women in a small town, was rated best among the rented pavilions.
Germany, Oman and Malaysia were voted the best pavilions under theme interpretation in the self-built category, while Syria was deemed best of the rented pavilions.
The award recipients were decided by an international jury composed of nine experts in a range of relevant fields. The jury visited each pavilion at Expo 2020.
Awarding participation is a long-standing tradition of Expos, dating back to the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, the first World Expo. The awards were paused for a number of years, before being revived ahead of Expo 2005 Aichi in Japan.
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UAE entrepreneur Dima Al Srouri has taken over a mushroom nursery from the Netherlands pavilion and will continue the production of mushrooms and mycelium products in Dubai. Photo: Netherlands Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai -
The biotope at the Netherlands pavilion was a big attraction that showed how in a miniature world climate was controlled naturally and could nurture plants in the desert heat. Pawan Singh / The National -
Dima Al Srouri, a UAE urban planner, stands in front of tiles made from mushroom mycelium at the Netherlands pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Netherlands Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai -
Basil, mint and tomato are some of more than 3,000 plants growing on a massive cone inside the Netherlands pavilion. The plants will be returned to the local supplier and turned into compost. Pawan Singh / The National -
The 2,000 tonnes of steel sheets used to construct the Netherlands pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai will be handed over for reuse in construction projects in the city. Pawan Singh / The National -
The entrance of the Netherlands Expo 2020 Pavilion that used no concrete and instead made use of steel pipes and sheets to depict a circular economy. Pawan Singh / The National -
Inside view of the Netherlands Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai site where architects built a biotope in which edible plants thrived - the material will be reused and recycled by companies across the city. Pawan Singh / The National -
Carel Richter, consul general and commissioner general of the Netherlands pavilion (left), and Niels Bouwman, pavilion director hold innovation awards at the Expo pavilion in front of a cone covered with thousands of edible plants and herbs. Photo: Netherlands Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai -
Hundreds of litres of water was harvested daily from moisture in the air and drew crowds to watch it 'rain in the desert.' This system will shipped back to the Netherlands for use in new projects. Pawan Singh / The National -
Michiel Raaphorst, co-founder of V8 Architects and Carel Richter, commissioner general, Netherlands Pavilion talk to the media at the Netherlands pavilion at the Expo 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
The pavilion was built using local resources sourced in the UAE. Pawan Singh / The National -
Steel pipes and tubes have been rented from Dubai’s construction industry and will be returned for use in new projects. Pawan Singh / The National -
Oyster mushrooms are organically grown within the nursery inside the pavilion. Photo: Netherlands Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai -
Oyster mushrooms thrive in humid, cool and dark conditions inside the pavilion. Photo: Netherlands Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai -
View of the mushrooms grown inside the biotope at the Netherlands pavilion at the Expo 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
View of the mushrooms grown inside the biotope at the Netherlands pavilion at the Expo 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Media personnel at a preview of the Netherlands Pavilion at the Expo 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Souvenir shop at the Netherlands Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Pawan Singh / The National
UAE Innovates Awards
The UAE Innovates Awards, launched in February 2021 to celebrate innovative ideas in the Emirates, also dedicated awards to the Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions that have showcased impressive innovations in Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.
The “Best Innovation that Achieves Sustainability” was awarded to the Netherlands pavilion for its Vertical Farm and the Italy pavilion for its ISO 20121 sustainability certification.
The “Best Innovation that Creates Opportunity” was awarded to the Czech Republic pavilion for the S.A.W.E.R. water production system, and the Tunisia pavilion for the P-Guard autonomous patrolling robot.
The “Best Innovation that Drives Mobility” was awarded to the Saudi Arabia pavilion for its inclined lifts and the Sweden pavilion for the Incedo security system.
The award winners in full:
Architecture & Landscape
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Saudi Arabia's pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Saudi Arabia Expo 2020 Dubai -
Saudi Arabia pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Saudi Arabia Expo 2020 Dubai -
Saudi Arabia pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Saudi Arabia Expo 2020 Dubai -
A Guinness World Record was awarded for the longest interactive water feature at the Saudi Arabia Expo pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The Saudi pavilion lit up at night. Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Saudi performers in front of country's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
An LED mirror screen display at the Saudi Arabia pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Crowds visit the Saudi Arabia pavilion as the sun sets. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Visitors at the Saudi pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Visitors tour the Saudi pavilion. AFP -
Visitors line up inside the Saudi Arabia pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Saudi Arabia pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Saudi Arabia Expo 2020 Dubai -
Saudi Arabia pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Saudi Arabia Expo 2020 Dubai -
Exterior of the Saudi Arabia pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Visitors tour the Saudi Arabia pavilion. AFP -
Visitors tour the Saudi Arabia pavilion. AFP -
Visitors tour the Saudi Arabia pavilion. AFP -
Visitors look at the Saudi Arabia pavilion. AFP
Self-built pavilions — Category A (larger than 2,500m2)
Gold Award – Saudi Arabia
Silver Award – Switzerland
Bronze Award – China
Self-built pavilions – Category B (between 1,750m2 and 2,500m2)
Gold Award – Netherlands
Silver Award – Austria
Bronze Award – Gulf Cooperation Council
Self-built pavilions – Category C (smaller than 1,750m2)
Gold Award – Singapore
Silver Award – Finland
Bronze Award – Qatar
Exhibition Design
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The Encountering Japan exhibition at Expo 2020 Dubai introduces the 'story of encounters' comprised of the country’s unspoiled landscape, the sensibilities cultivated by its people and the cultural heritage that has been woven through its history. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National -
A 360-degree theatre at the Japan pavilion. -
Real-time generated graphic art at the Japan pavilion. -
This exhibition on Japanese innovation is not solely about high-end technology. Instead, it has drawn inspiration from both nature and traditional culture. -
Audrey Ozanne, a visitor at the Japan pavilion. -
Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka, Japan. -
Inside the Japan pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. -
The exhibition looks back over Japanese history in an otherworldly visual space filled with floating mist. -
Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka, Japan. -
Real-time generated graphic art at the Japan pavilion. -
Rina Fukada and Ayumi Ando working at the Japan pavilion. -
The exhibition on Japanese innovation is not solely about high-end technology. Instead, it has drawn inspiration from both nature and traditional culture. -
Visitors walk through an infinity mirror room. -
The exhibition on Japanese innovation drawn inspiration from both nature and traditional culture. -
The exhibition on Japanese innovation drawn inspiration from both nature and traditional culture. -
Visitors need to book through a smart queue to visit the Japan pavilion. -
An exhibition on Japanese innovation. -
Visitors will walk through an infinity mirror room. -
Visitors at the Japan pavilion. -
A 360-degree theatre integrating cutting-edge technology at the Japan pavilion. -
Visitors enjoy the Japan pavilion. -
Visitors take in the Japan pavilion. -
The exhibition on Japanese innovation is not solely about high-end technology; it has also drawn inspiration from both nature and traditional culture. -
A section on miniatures in the Japan pavilion at Expo by a famous artist Tanaka Tatsuya shows a tsunami warning system using a series of falling blue dominos to capture rising tidal waves.
Self-built pavilions — Category A (larger than 2,500m2)
Gold Award – Japan
Silver Award – Pakistan
Bronze Award – Spain
Self-built pavilions – Category B (between 1,750m2 and 2,500m2)
Gold Award – Peru
Silver Award – Poland
Bronze Award – Egypt
Self-built pavilions – Category C (smaller than 1,750m2)
Gold Award – Morocco
Silver Award – Algeria
Bronze Award – Palestine
Rented pavilions
Gold Award – Mexico
Silver Award – Latvia
Bronze Award – Montenegro
Thematic District pavilions — Opportunity
Gold Award — Tonga
Silver Award – Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bronze Award — Fiji
Thematic District pavilions — Sustainability
Gold Award — Seychelles
Silver Award – Cambodia
Bronze Award — Surinam
Thematic District pavilions — Mobility
Gold Award — Holy See
Silver Award – Côte d’Ivoire
Bronze Award — Jamaica
Theme Interpretation
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Visitors swing in the graduation hall, the final section of the German pavilion, that is drawing repeat visitors. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors stand in a queue outside the Germany pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors stand in a queue outside the Germany pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. -
Visitors use magnifiers to check countries' eco details at the Germany pavilion. -
Visitors use magnifiers to read about the eco details of each country at the pavilion. -
Yes and No doors at the Germany pavilion. -
Visitors inside the yellow ball pit at the Germany pavilion. -
Visitors inside the yellow ball pit area at the Germany Pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors inside the yellow ball pit at the Germany pavilion. -
Visitors stand on discs and try to maintain their balance for a steady supply of electricity at the Germany pavilion. -
Visitors fly Enerkite at the Germany pavilion. -
Visitors view a room with model buildings that could be part of future megacities at the Germany pavilion. -
Visitors view a room with model buildings that could be part of future megacities. -
Visitors look into the future at the Germany pavilion. -
Sebastian Rosito, director of the German pavilion, says a combination of education and entertainment makes the space popular.
Self-built pavilions — Category A (larger than 2,500m2)
Gold Award – Germany
Silver Award – Kazakhstan
Bronze Award – Italy
Self-built pavilions – Category B (between 1,750m2 and 2,500m2)
Gold Award – Oman
Silver Award – Hungary
Bronze Award – Sweden
Self-built pavilions – Category C (smaller than 1,750m2)
Gold Award – Malaysia
Silver Award – Lithuania
Bronze Award – Colombia
Rented pavilions
Gold Award – Syria
Silver Award – Gabon
Bronze Award – Vietnam
Thematic District pavilions — Opportunity
Gold Award — Rwanda
Silver Award – Ethiopia
Bronze Award — Kyrgyzstan
Thematic District pavilions — Sustainability
Gold Award — Yemen
Silver Award – Guinea
Bronze Award — Comoros
Thematic District pavilions — Mobility
Gold Award — El Salvador
Silver Award – Moldova
Bronze Award — Organisation of Islamic Co-operation
