Oman unveils Dubai Expo 2020 pavilion
The pavilion is designed using Islamic and Omani design elements
Oman has officially released the design of its pavilion for the global Dubai Expo, which will be held in the year 2020. The pavilion is themed ‘Oman, Opportunities over time’, and is inspired by the shape of a frankincense tree, which is a symbol of significance in Oman.
The pavilion will be located in the ‘Mobility District’ and is designed using traditional Arabic architecture, using Islamic and Omani design elements, while keeping in line with the contemporary style of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Mohsin bin Khamis Al Balushi, commissioner general of the Sultanate of Oman to Expo 2020 explained that the Omani pavilion followed the approach of modernity in its design, and is centred around the frankincense tree, which has historically been recognised as a bridge between the civilizations of the ancient world more than 5,000 years ago.
The pavilion will have five zones, illuminating how the frankincense tree contributed to Omani advancements in transportation, knowledge, manufacturing, sustainability and exploration. Visitors will be shown large-scale, high-impact moments, as well as subtle interactive experiences created using Oman-developed augmented and mixed reality technology, reported Gulf Business.
Al Balushi added that the pavilion’s first exhibit will show how ships carried frankincense to even European countries like Rome, once upon a time. Commercial convoys were used transport frankincense on different routes from Dhofar to the shores of southern Iraq, to the Levant and ancient Egypt, and to Gaza on the coast of Palestine from where they reached European countries.
The pavilion is also expected to show visitors how frankincense was used in food, medicine and cosmetics.
“Everything related to the implementation of the Oman pavilion project has been done by Omani youth in full, from design, equipment, and even operation,” Al Balushi said.
Expo 2020 will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region and will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
