The World's Fair in Dubai
Expo 2020 Is About the Future
Tine Kračun
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Never mind its unfortunate fate of bearing the name of the preceding year – EXPO 2020 is in fact all about the future. Just as its host Dubai – once a small town in the dessert, where flights stopped on their way from Europe to Southeast Asia and Australia to fill up their tanks with cheap gasoline, of which there still is an abundance in the Emirates.
The locals (the population grew from 100,000 in 1971 to just below three
million in 2021) figured they could sell more than just gasoline to the odd bypassers: large duty free shops opened and “Fly, Buy, Dubai” soon became much more than just a slogan. It became a vision for the future, just as the vision for the future is the theme of the EXPO 2020 pavilions – 193 countries have representation at the exhibition.
SLOVENIA STANDS SMART AND GREEN
As per the size of the country, the position of the Slovenian pavilion right at the entrance of the Sustainability section goes on par with its motto “Green and Smart Experience”. A mishmash of business and tourism holds value for the future, a common theme across many other pavilions. Slovenia took the business side seriously. As one of only 17 pavilions that include a business aspect in their offering – Slovenia holds an event almost every day. “The plan is to really enhance the business cooperation – between Slovenia, the Middle East and everyone that comes here”, says Matic Volk, the young and energetic Commissioner who is acting as an exemplary host to all the delegations that attend the conferences, host events or just one-on-one meetings – all of which takes place on the second floor of the pavilion.
“The pavilion highlights three elements that set Slovenia apart: Water, the source of life and vitality, the interflow of materials and ideas; Nature, connecting the Earth with the Universe, knowledge and innovativeness, and Slovenia’s green and clean heart; and Innovativeness, represented by a giant wooden sunshade, our shield and shelter, a technological masterpiece of construction and design illustrating Slovenia’s strong identity. The pavilion construction innovatively includes prefabricated, sustainable and biodegradable elements of metal, glass, wood and stone.”
THE ADRIATIC COUNTRIES AT THE EXPO
SERBIA INTERCONNECTS THE PAST WITH THE FUTURE
The story at the Serbian pavilion, which is smaller than Slovenia’s but larger than all the other countries’ from the Adriatic region is about the past and the future. Drawing parallels between the trade practices of the late Neolithic community Vinča and today’s trends, modern Serbia presents itself with the slogan “Creating ideas”, which shows Serbia as a progressive economy open to foreign visitors, both business and tourists. They will have the opportunity to learn and prosper on the vision that Serbs from the past – such as Nikola Tesla – had on the future.
BIH AND NORTH MACEDONIA BET ON NATURE
At the Sustainability section you will also find the pavilions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia. Both draw on their cultural heritages presenting a strong and rich history together with a beautiful environment. At the North Macedonian pavilion visitors can admire stuffed Eagles and Cats – largest in the world. Both countries emphasise their location attractiveness for businesses with Bosnia and Herzegovina displaying its connections as the hub between Europe and the Middle East, while North Macedonia focuses on its competitive taxation rates and subsidies it offers to foreign investors.
CROATIA GOES FAST
The Croatian pavilion may not be the largest but it is certainly the fastest. Rimac is the fastest car in the world, going up to 400 km/h and accelerating to 100km/h in just two seconds. There is no need to point out it is 100% electric. It is only natural that the Croatian pavilion will also feature stories on their Adriatic coast – one of their greatest attractions for people from all over the world. Not surprisingly and seen before, the video presentation is about the rich Croatian past as the cornerstone for the future.
MONTENEGRO IS ABOUT TOURISM
Another country focusing primarily on its natural is Montenegro, found in the
Sustainability sector. With glass sticks representing the willow forest aims to show it is more than just a sea side destination but also has mountains, rivers and a strong national heritage.
THE FUTURE IS YOUNG IN KOSOVO
You will find the pavilion of the youngest country from the region – Kosovo – in the Mobility section. And while other countries draw strongly on their historical heritage, Kosovo does just the opposite – with its focus being on their youth, they draw the comparison between innovation and the beauty of their land.
THE ADRIATIC
This article was originally published in The Adriatic: Strategic Foresight 2022
If you want a copy, please contact us at info@adriaticjournal.com.
