Since the first World's Fair, the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, countries have sought to stand out from the crowd with their pavilions.
The structures — which are usually taken down at the end of an Expo — have over the years thrilled tens of millions of people with their unconventional architecture and futuristic exhibits.
Here, we look back on a few of the most notable showings in history.
Paris 1889: 'monstrosity' to national monument
Today, Expo organisers are keen to secure a ‘legacy’ from events, usually in the form of urban regeneration or through a long-term boost to tourism.
But none can hope to prove as successful as France in 1899, an event responsible for one of the world’s most recognisable monuments and the creation of a national icon.
The Eiffel Tower served as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, then the tallest man-made structure in the world, and was famously criticised by some of Paris’s top architects and intellectuals.
After the planned design was revealed, leading figures branded it “useless and monstrous” and launched a campaign to have construction cancelled.
The “hateful column of bolted sheet metal”, they warned, would mean “all of our humiliated monuments will disappear in this ghastly dream”.
Even after it was built, some were not convinced. One critic, the author Guy de Maupassant, supposedly ate lunch in the tower's restaurant every day because it was the one place in Paris where the tower was not visible.
But it is now the most visited paid-for tourist attraction in the world, synonymous with Parisian romance, style and culture.
Paris, 1937: Hitler overshadows the Brits
As Europe teetered on the brink of a second devastating conflict in as many decades, the World Expo took place once again in Paris, France.
Then still a huge global power, it might have been expected that the UK would come up with a creative way of showing off its might.
Instead, its showing was “really pathetic”, according to Nick Cull, professor of public diplomacy at the University of Southern California and an expert on world expositions.
The centrepiece of the exhibit, he said, was a giant photograph of then-Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain fishing in a river.
In contrast, Nazi Germany created a huge monument, designed by Adolf Hitler’s architect Albert Speer, that was so impressive that even the French judges awarded it a prize.
It stood opposite an equally imposing Soviet structure, topped with a statue of a male worker and a female peasant, their hands together, thrusting a hammer and a sickle.
However, Britain learnt its lesson in time for the New York Expo just two years later. A surprise visit from the King George and Queen Elizabeth — described as the UK’s “secret weapon” by Professor Cull — ensured its next showing was seen as far more successful.
Brussels, 1958: the world's last 'human zoo'
Held in Belgium, the host country was keen to present itself as a global player at what was billed as a major postwar celebration of modernity.
But one aspect of the Belgian pavilion has not aged well.
A Congolese ‘human zoo’, where visitors were invited to gawp at black families in a mock African village, now appears spectacularly ill-judged.
The participants carried out ‘traditional’ activities such as craft-making behind bamboo fences, in an attempt to show how the Belgian colonialists had ‘civilised’ the country.
They were also subjected to racism from onlookers, who “threw money or bananas over the closure of bamboo” to elicit a reaction, a journalist reported at the time.
The Congolese complained of cramped accommodation, boredom and daily abuse at the fair.
Many refused to carry on and went back home, and the “exhibit” closed down early.
The Kongorama, as it was billed, and other exhibits like it which were once popular in Belgium, are now seen as a source of shame in a country still grappling with its colonial past.
It went down in history as the world’s last human zoo.
New York, 1964: Sangria and waffle batter make their mark
The 1964 World’s Fair in New York was controversial at the time, with organisers coming into conflict with the Bureau of International Expositions, the event's governing body.
Officials refused to officially sanction it and as the row deepened they took the unusual step of calling on its members not to take part.
The event went ahead anyway and its impact, at least in terms of US food and drink preferences, is still felt strongly today.
When nearby restaurants sought to take advantage of fairgoers by hiking their prices, tourists turned to the pavilions themselves for exotic refreshments.
The Spanish pavilion was serving a drink few Americans had ever heard of — Sangria. Popularity of the punch boomed and it has proved a staple of outdoor gatherings in the US ever since.
The fair also gave Americans their first taste of Belgian waffles — thicker and lighter than those they were used to. Demand was so high that Maurice Vermersch and his family, who had travelled to the US to serve the treats, had to hire 10 workers just to cut strawberries for toppings.
The variety has been ‘king of the waffles’ in the US ever since. MariePaule Vermersch, who helped her parents serve the waffles in 1964, moved from Europe to New Mexico but returned to New York in 2014 to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the fair.
Canada, 1967: a dome fit for a King
The 1967 World Expo had originally been due to take place in Moscow but the Soviet Union cancelled its plans, fearing the security implications of opening up to millions of visitors and exposing locals to an uncensored version of the West.
Canada stepped in, and went on to stage one of the most successful Expos of the 20th Century.
And as if to rub salt into the wound, the US - the Soviets' arch rivals - created one of the most memorable pavilions ever in Montreal.
In a geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller, the American pavilion exhibited US advances in the space race and cultural arts.
A replica of the Moon's surface, reconstructed by photographs, was on display alongside props from hit movies, including Ben-Hur, and one of Elvis Presley's guitars.
The USSR’s display was also a success, with a stunning glass and steel structure and most notably its curved roof, now seen as one of the finest examples of Soviet Modernism.
It was eventually taken back behind the Iron Curtain and, after lying in storage for a decade, was put back up in Moscow.
But it was Fuller’s dome for which the Canadian Expo is best remembered — and it is still in use to this day as a museum dedicated to the environment.
Osaka, 1970: Japan stakes claim to the future
The first ever Expo held in Asia, the Osaka event is now seen as being crucial in remaking the image of Japan - which at the time was still strongly associated with its actions during World War II.
The event became known for its stunning experimental architecture and, rather than looking to the past, Japan focused on showing off hi-tech innovations for which it is known today.
The first ever IMAX film was shown at the Expo, which also featured demonstrations of early mobile phone and high-speed ‘bullet’ train technology.
Another popular attraction was a piece of moon rock — which had been brought back to Earth by US Apollo 12 astronauts the previous year.
Japan would go on to hold three more Expos elsewhere in the country, in 1975, 1985 and 2005. The event will return to Osaka in 2025, 55 years after its inaugural show.
China, 2010: a new superpower rises
Coming two years after the Beijing Olympics, the Shanghai Expo was seen as part of cementing China’s status as a 21st Century superpower.
Its imposing pavilion, known as the Oriental Crown, was the largest and most expensive in Expo history, costing an estimated $220m (Dh808m). It towered over all other countries’ offerings.
The intricate design was intended to show off elements of the country’s history, inspired by the dougong roof bracket, which had been in use for 2,000 years, and a traditional cauldron.
Once inside, visitors were given a crash course in Chinese history, philosophy, its rapid economic development over recent decades and its vision for the future.
A rooftop garden was designed to incorporate traditional Chinese landscape, with several sustainable elements also incorporated into the building design.
The pavilion was seen as a highlight of the most well-attended Expo ever, with 73 million visitors. It has since become the China Art Museum, one of the largest museums in Asia.
Sweet%20Tooth
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Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEdited%20by%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Idries%20Trevathan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20240%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hirmer%20Publishers%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Age: 46
Number of Children: Four
Hobby: Reading history books
Loves: Sports
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Celtic Prince, David Liska (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer).
7.05pm: Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Commanding, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
7.40pm: Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Grand Argentier, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
Winner: Arch Gold, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Ibn Malik, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.
10pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
OTHER IPL BOWLING RECORDS
Best bowling figures: 6-14 – Sohail Tanvir (for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings in 2008)
Best average: 16.36 – Andrew Tye
Best economy rate: 6.53 – Sunil Narine
Best strike-rate: 12.83 – Andrew Tye
Best strike-rate in an innings: 1.50 – Suresh Raina (for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals in 2011)
Most runs conceded in an innings: 70 – Basil Thampi (for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018)
Most hat-tricks: 3 – Amit Mishra
Most dot-balls: 1,128 – Harbhajan Singh
Most maiden overs bowled: 14 – Praveen Kumar
Most four-wicket hauls: 6 – Sunil Narine
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
more from Janine di Giovanni
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Vault%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBilal%20Abou-Diab%20and%20Sami%20Abdul%20Hadi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELicensed%20by%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EInvestment%20and%20wealth%20advisory%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOutliers%20VC%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E14%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Anti-semitic attacks
The annual report by the Community Security Trust, which advises the Jewish community on security , warned on Thursday that anti-Semitic incidents in Britain had reached a record high.
It found there had been 2,255 anti-Semitic incidents reported in 2021, a rise of 34 per cent from the previous year.
The report detailed the convictions of a number of people for anti-Semitic crimes, including one man who was jailed for setting up a neo-Nazi group which had encouraged “the eradication of Jewish people” and another who had posted anti-Semitic homemade videos on social media.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHayvn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristopher%20Flinos%2C%20Ahmed%20Ismail%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efinancial%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2044%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eseries%20B%20in%20the%20second%20half%20of%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHilbert%20Capital%2C%20Red%20Acre%20Ventures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
It
Director: Andres Muschietti
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Three stars
Europa League group stage draw
Group A: Villarreal, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Astana, Slavia Prague.
Group B: Dynamo Kiev, Young Boys, Partizan Belgrade, Skenderbeu.
Group C: Sporting Braga, Ludogorets, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Group D: AC Milan, Austria Vienna , Rijeka, AEK Athens.
Group E: Lyon, Everton, Atalanta, Apollon Limassol.
Group F: FC Copenhagen, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sheriff Tiraspol, FC Zlin.
Group G: Vitoria Plzen, Steaua Bucarest, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, FC Lugano.
Group H: Arsenal, BATE Borisov, Cologne, Red Star Belgrade.
Group I: Salzburg, Marseille, Vitoria Guimaraes, Konyaspor.
Group J: Athletic Bilbao, Hertha Berlin, Zorya Luhansk, Ostersund.
Group K: Lazio, Nice, Zulte Waregem, Vitesse Arnhem.
Group L: Zenit St Petersburg, Real Sociedad, Rosenborg, Vardar
Four%20scenarios%20for%20Ukraine%20war
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Get inspired
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).