Expo City Dubai opens new attractions for visitors

Exhibitions recreate favourite memories of country pavilions at world's fair

Memorabilia, sculptures, musical instruments and digital presentations from the more than 200 nations that had installations during Expo 2020 are on display at the Stories of Nations pavilion at Expo City in Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh/The National

Memorabilia, sculptures, musical instruments and digital presentations from the more than 200 nations that had installations during Expo 2020 are on display at the Stories of Nations pavilion at Expo City in Dubai

Memorabilia, sculptures, musical instruments and digital presentations from the more than 200 nations that had installations during Expo 2020 are on display at the Stories of Nations pavilion at Expo City in Dubai

Memorabilia, sculptures, musical instruments and digital presentations from the more than 200 nations that had installations during Expo 2020 are on display at the Stories of Nations pavilion at Expo City in Dubai

Memorabilia, sculptures, musical instruments and digital presentations from the more than 200 nations that had installations during Expo 2020 are on display at the Stories of Nations pavilion at Expo City in Dubai

Memorabilia, sculptures, musical instruments and digital presentations from the more than 200 nations that had installations during Expo 2020 are on display at the Stories of Nations pavilion at Expo City in Dubai

Memorabilia, sculptures, musical instruments and digital presentations from the more than 200 nations that had installations during Expo 2020 are on display at the Stories of Nations pavilion at Expo City in Dubai

Memorabilia, sculptures, musical instruments and digital presentations from the more than 200 nations that had installations during Expo 2020 are on display at the Stories of Nations pavilion at Expo City in Dubai

Memorabilia, sculptures, musical instruments and digital presentations from the more than 200 nations that had installations during Expo 2020 are on display at the Stories of Nations pavilion at Expo City in Dubai

Najeeb Mohammed Al Ali, Executive Director at the Stories of Nations pavilion at EXPO City in Dubai

Memorabilia, sculptures, musical instruments and digital presentations from the more than 200 nations that had installations during Expo 2020 are on display at the Stories of Nations pavilion at Expo City in Dubai

Memorabilia, sculptures, musical instruments and digital presentations from the more than 200 nations that had installations during Expo 2020 are on display at the Stories of Nations pavilion at Expo City in Dubai

Memorabilia, sculptures, musical instruments and digital presentations from the more than 200 nations that had installations during Expo 2020 are on display at the Stories of Nations pavilion at Expo City in Dubai

Memorabilia, sculptures, musical instruments and digital presentations from the more than 200 nations that had installations during Expo 2020 are on display at the Stories of Nations pavilion at Expo City in Dubai

Three new exhibitions were unveiled on Wednesday at Expo City Dubai, aimed at drawing crowds back to relive their memories of the world's fair.

The pavilions, called the Stories of Nations, are spread across the three districts within the site ― Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.

Visitors can explore memorabilia that includes sculptures, musical instruments and digital exhibits from more than 200 nations and organisations that took part in the six-month Expo 2020 Dubai.

The displays vary from showcasing wooden poles used in the Swedish pavilion, replicas of the swings that visitors used in the German pavilion to a large colourful model of a turtle from the Comoros island made from recycled plastic bags in the sustainability section exhibits.

A massive circular wooden seat built from pine wood is a memory from the Austrian pavilion, a richly decorated cart with red and green sequins from Myanmar and a harp from Columbia are part of the opportunity exhibition.

Entry to the new attractions is included in Expo City Dubai’s Dh120 one-day attractions pass, which also gives visitors access to the Alif - The Mobility Pavilion , Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion, as well as the Vision and Women’s pavilions.

Expo enthusiasts can also purchase a ticket specifically for Stories of Nations for Dh50 for entry to the three new attractions.

Children aged 12 and under and people of determination can enter free of charge.

Visitors can still wander the streets of Expo without a ticket, as has been the case since last autumn.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said the new exhibits were Expo’s way of honouring the countries that participated.

He said it gives “a glimpse into some of the unforgettable, iconic moments that took place, curating the story of our shared humanity across different themes and paying tribute to the power of collaboration".

Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, executive director Expo City Dubai, said the new pavilions were curated based on feedback from visitors.

“We had a very successful event attracting millions of visitors,” Mr Ali said.

“Many of these visitors are coming back to see the site.

“We have created a series for them with the Stories of Nations pavilions to relive their memories."

He said the fan zone for the Fifa World Cup, the Winter Fest and the recent Chinese New Year celebrations had attracted thousands of people with plans being readied to host Cop 28.

The pavilions will be open daily from 10am until 6pm.