Dubai – Dubai is celebrating. The Wednesday (27) choice of the Emirate to host the Expo 2020, the world science and culture fair, has left a proud climate among the local population, which is already living a patriotic wave this week due to the celebration of the national day of the United Arab Emirates, which takes place on December 2nd, when the country celebrates its 42nd anniversary.
In the streets of the city, flags decorated buildings and the interior of public places. The colours of the country’s flag, green, red, black and white, are all around. Yesterday, hundreds of people celebrated the choice of Dubai in front of Burj Khalifa, where there was a great firework display, after the announcement made in Paris, France.
In retail areas, be it at Mc Donald’s or at the entrance of Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping centre, visitors were given flags congratulating or celebrating Dubai for its victory.
Thursday (28), usually the last day of the week in the Emirates, was declared a school holiday. Youths were free to celebrate and it was possible to see children dressed in clothes in the country’s national colours. “We are happy with this and proud of the country. I think it is something good for us, which will help not just the country, but other countries (in the region),” said Hessa Mohammed, 16, who did not have to go to school.
“I am proud. This shows that the word ‘impossible’ does not exist in the dictionary in Dubai. Much investment will head this way and Dubai is going to position itself in the world investment and trade map. We are optimistic,” said Mohammed Alshehhi, 38, a computer engineer. On Thursday, he was enjoying a free day with his wife and kids, whose clothes showed the family pride for the choice of the emirate to host the event.
Mohammed Aldhaheri, an employee of the Ministry of Interior, celebrated the fact that the country was chosen, at a young age, to host the Expo 2020. “Dubai is about to celebrate its 42nd anniversary. Some countries are hundreds of years old and only manage to host the event after several years. We managed at the age of 42, and that is incredible,” he said, thrilled. He also believes that the fair should accelerate the growth of Dubai. “If the government had planned for 10 or 20 years, it will now be done in three,” he believes.
There are, however, some who are concerned with some economic facts that the fair will cause to the city. “Prices will rise due to the Expo. Everything will go up: rents, property, etc.”, said Ali Ibrahim Al Marzouqi, a legal researcher at the Ministry of Defence. However, he says he is “very happy and proud” of his city.
Local media
The topic was on the cover of the main newspapers in the emirate on Thursday. In Arabic, Al Khallej brought headline: World celebrates Emirates with Expo 2020 in Dubai. Al Bayan in turn, stated: Historic and incomparable victory of the Emirates in Expo 2020. Al Ittihad boasted: Emirates…address in 2020, while Al Iqtisadi stated: The world votes on the Emirates… Expo 2020 in Dubai.
The local English language newspapers also stressed the victory of Dubai, but in a slightly more contained manner. “Yes, We did it!” was the headline of Khaleej Times this morning. Gulf News, the main paper in Dubai, in turn, announced: Dubai Wins Expo 2020.
“Our goal is to build a better future for the region’s youth. The United Arab Emirates will achieve it through collaboration and inspiration at the event,” said sheikh Mohammed bin Rachid Al Maktoum, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, to Khaleej Times.
To the same paper, the country’s president, sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stated that “Our country possesses all it takes to successfully organize a unique event that will add a new and outstanding imprint on the expo series of events.”
Maktoum also confirmed the engagement with impressing the world at the fair. “We renew our promise to astonish the world in 2020. Dubai will bring to life our vision: Connecting minds, creating the future.”
*Translated by Mark Ament
