Flying robots, Emirati siblings and a ghaf tree: meet Dubai's Expo mascots

Expo 2020 Dubai's six colourful mascots will 'bring the spirit' of the event to life

Emirati brother and sister Latifa and Rashid are among a quirky team of mascots taking centre stage at Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Two intrepid Emirati siblings, three colourful robots and an ancient tree were unveiled as the mascots set to bring Expo 2020 Dubai to life.

Latifa, a science prodigy, along with her brother Rashid are modelled on Emirati children and their ‘guardian’ robots Alif, Opti and Terra represent the expo’s three main theme pavilions of mobility, opportunity and sustainability.

The UAE’s national ghaf tree will play a central role in introducing children to the expo’s offerings.

Named Salama, the mascot is modelled on a real ghaf tree that has been retained and is being protected on the Dubai South expo site.

The mascots were revealed on Thursday in a video, Winds of Change, the first in a series to introduce children to a visual history of world fairs.

The short film explains the ambition of the Expo 2020 Dubai to create a meeting ground for innovators and technology gurus to collaborate on clean energy and technology projects.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was present at the unveiling of the mascots at Dubai World Trade Centre.

“Many previous mega-events have successfully created mascots to strengthen emotional connections and bring the spirit of the event and host city to life,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman of the Expo higher committee.

The mascots reflected the tradition of storytelling, homegrown talent and “speak a universal language of ambition and aspiration alike,” Sheikh Ahmed said.

Expo 2020 Dubai will take over the emirate from October 20, 2020 until April 10, 2021.