Expossibilities

Hi, my name is Mir Faraz, and I’m in Year 7. As a proud resident of the UAE, I could not hold my excitement when Expo 2020 opened its doors to all in October 2021. It was like seeing a dream come true before my eyes. As the first major world gathering since the advent of Covid-19, Expo symbolized unrestrained possibilities for the residents of the UAE as well as people all over the globe. We are indeed fortunate to have witnessed something as spectacular and ground-breaking as Expo 2020. As we bid adieu to Greatest Show on the Earth, this is my final offering for this column in which I’ve attempted to capture all that Expo exemplified for me. I sincerely hope my thoughts resonate with millions of people who got the opportunity to experience this splendour.

A Goodbye to the Greatest Show on Earth

At the risk of sounding clichéd, time really does fly! Seems like yesterday when Expo 2020 opened its doors to the world, and now after 6 months of unforgettable memories, the massive portals to the expansive Expo 2020 site have been closed forever. The site will now be repurposed into the much talked about District 2020, the 15 minutes city which will be an exemplar in itself, but as far as Expo 2020 is concerned, the curtains are drawn and magnificently so. With a kaleidoscope of moments spent at Expo 2020 dancing in my mind, I look back fondly to think what the legacy of Expo 2020 will always be.

Expo 2020 heralded a renewed sense of hope and positivity for a world facing the unprecedented challenges of Covid 19. Expo 2020 is the first global gathering since the advent of the pandemic. With social distancing becoming a norm and in person interactions becoming far and between, Expo 2020 became a symbol of hope - a renewed world where everyone could be together again.

I still feel awestruck every time I think how the team behind Expo 2020 made the massive site ready during an ongoing pandemic. The state of the art architecture featuring a multitude of concrete marvels executed to perfection is a testimony to UAE's resilience, grit and determination. And just as impressive is the unwavering commitment to keep everyone safe. To quote His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, "The word 'impossible' does not exist in UAE's dictionary.”

A Microcosm of the World

With many of us not having travelled in the past two years, Expo 2020 was the ultimate passport to explore 192 nations at one place! I explored the impressive landscape of Saudi Arabia, traversed through the Swiss Alps, virtually walked through the diverse landscape of Australia and even touched a moon rock and so much more. I vividly remember the feeling of exuberance that I came back with after each visit. I felt like an explorer, a voyager, a true global citizen.

True to its theme, "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future", every corner of Expo 2020 was brimming with new, exciting knowledge. There was so much to learn about people, countries, cultures, innovations and best practices which are transforming the world. I don't think there could be a more potent source of learning for children and adults alike and all those who had the opportunity to visit Expo 2020 are much richer for it.

Sustainability

The Expo site was resplendent with the bright hues of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. There was so much to learn from different countries and their exclusive sustainable practices. Amid the calls for urgent action to safeguard the planet, to see the global community's collective commitment towards it was heart-warming and reassuring.

There are some moments which make you smile when you look back on them. Expo 2020 has given me memories I'll cherish forever. I will always remember the thrill I felt every time I walked through the massive portals - the anticipation of seeing and learning something new, the surprises at nooks and corners and the sheer joie de vivre that permeated through every inch of Expo 2020.

When I walked out of the Expo 2020 portals for the last time, I did so with mixed feelings of sadness and joy. Sadness because it was now over and joy because it did after all happen and I was one of the fortunate ones to soak in its mesmerizing brilliance. Just as the stamps on my Expo passport, the precious moments I spent at Expo 2020 will forever by stamped on my heart.