‘Beacons of Al Wasl’: the Expo 2020 Dubai medallions that pay homage to UAE history

More than 40 bronze medallions are embedded in the floor of Al Wasl Plaza

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  The day the UAE won the bid to host Expo 2020 Dubai is marked on a bronze medallion that can be found alongside 41 others at Al Wasl Plaza. 'On 27 November 2013, the UAE celebrated its victorious bid to host the 2020 World Expo in Dubai,' it reads. 'The win, a first for the region, sparked years of innovative development, bringing people from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia together to create this unforgettable global event. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

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  Space exploration has long been on the UAE's agenda and in 2019 the country's space programme sent its first astronaut into the beyond, 'the opening step in an ambitious quest to explore our universe'.

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  Education is the focus here. It reads: 'To the UAE’s founding fathers, education was vitally important - a lantern to light our way in the dark.'

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  A map made of cogs, showing how we all work together to make the world go round. 'The UAE believes that co-operation is crucial to creating a better world for everyone. From supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to providing humanitarian aid where it is needed most, the UAE utilises international partnerships to promote opportunity and human growth around the globe.'

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  This medallion is inspired by the Emirati succulent plant called salicornia that is helping to reimagine the future of aviation by offering a green alternative to jet fuel.

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  This one marks the discovery of oil at Murban Bab field in Abu Dhabi in 1958. The medallion says the discovery 'changed the UAE forever, igniting rapid economic growth and reshaping Emirati society'.

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  Connecting cultures: 'The UAE invited all nations to come togethers at Expo 2020 Dubai between October 2021 and 31 March 2022, to showcase their unique cultures, insights and innovations on a global stage. This historical moment demonstrates how interconnection and collaboration can help the world overcome its greatest challenges.'

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  Last year marked the UAE's 50th anniversary, and the milestone is commemorated on this medallion. 'On 2 December 1971, our nation’s founding fathers signed the declaration that gave birth to the United Arab Emirates, raising the new Emirati flag over Dubai’s Union House and launching five decades of development and growth.'

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  An homage to the UAE's ports: 'Forward-thinking investment in ports has made the UAE a global shipping hub. Beginning with 1959’s dredging of Dubai Creek and continuing through today’s bustling ports at Fujairah, Kizad and Jebel Ali - the world’s largest man-made harbour - cutting-edge infrastructure has driven the UAE’s maritime ascent.'

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  Pearls and pearl diving are the subject of this medallion.

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  Expo Tribe: 'In the pursuit of progress and understanding through partnership and co-operation, we are one Tribe, inspired by the spirit of the United Arab Emirates and honoured to deliver the first World Exposition in the rich history of the Arab region.'

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  Mobility is a central theme at Expo 2020 Dubai, referring to everything from the global movement of people to data transmission. 'With its world-class digital infrastructure and diverse, innovative culture, the UAE continually blazes new paths to advance human mobility.’

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  The majlis: 'A space of openness and dialogue, the majlis - or “Sitting place” - is the vibrant cornerstone of Emirati social life. Characterised by constructive, tolerant conversations, members of the community come together in the majlis to share news, discuss issues and ideas.'

When you find yourself standing in Al Wasl Plaza, your first instinct might be to look up at the dome. But make sure you also look down, to the ground, where dozens of bronze medallions, each a metre in diameter, are embedded at the heart of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Each pays homage to an idea, an achievement, a moment in UAE history, depicting the country’s exponential growth.

There are 42 in total, the number of years it took for the UAE to win the Expo bid.

“Those medallions are hidden gems that tell the story of a nation that cherishes its land, that celebrates its heroes, that values art, science, education and pursues a better future by connection and collaboration through mobility, opportunity and sustainability, which are the themes of Expo 2020,” said Essa Alzarooni, Expo's assistant manager of Visitor Experience.

Five international artists – Owen Davey, Nick Hayes, Sarah Maxwell, Rui Ricardo and Siku – from a UK agency called folio designed the beautiful illustrations based on stories chosen by the Expo teams.

Next to each design, there is a short description in Arabic and English, to tell onlookers what it’s all about, and they are grouped by theme.

Here are six that stand out:

Pictures: Pawan Singh / The National

Title: Salicornia

Description: “A humble Emirati succulent called salicornia is helping reimagine the future of aviation by offering a green alternative to jet fuel. Grown sustainably through seawater irrigation, the plant yields a potent biofuel. In 2019, the first salicornia-powered aircraft flew from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam.”

Title: 2013

Description: “On 27 November 2013, the UAE celebrated its victorious bid to host the 2020 World Expo in Dubai. The win, a first for the region, sparked years of innovative development, bringing people from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia together to create this unforgettable global event.”

Title: Partnerships

Description: “The UAE believes that co-operation is crucial to creating a better world for everyone. From supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to providing humanitarian aid where it is needed most, the UAE utilises international partnerships to promote opportunity and human growth around the globe.”

Title: Education

Description: “To the UAE’s founding fathers, education was vitally important – a lantern to light our way in the dark. Beginning with the establishment of its first government-run primary school in 1959, the UAE has created a world-class network of diverse, multicultural learning institutions instilling students not just with knowledge, but with strong ethical values.”

Title: Space exploration

Description: “The UAE’s space programme launched its first astronaut in 2019, the opening step in an ambitious quest to explore our universe. The nation sent its cutting-edge Hope Probe into orbit around Mars in 2020, while the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre continues to advance interstellar discovery.”

Title: Majlis

Description: “A space of openness and dialogue, the majlis – or ‘sitting place’ – is the vibrant cornerstone of Emirati social life. Characterised by constructive, tolerant conversations, members of the community come together in the majlis to share news, discuss issues and ideas.”