On the edge of the Empty Quarter, hidden and forgotten for thousands of years, lie the remains of an ancient trading post – a city that traded with the ancient kingdoms of Egypt, Mesopotamia and India, with foundries producing exquisitely designed ornaments and weaponry. A thriving oasis in the desert. A meeting place of cultures and ideas.

This documentary unveils the story of how the historical site was discovered by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and how the ring became the origin of the Expo 2020 Dubai logo.

Saruq Al Hadid: Dubai's Iron Age

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A documentary on the ancient international trade centre where the ring that inspired the Expo 2020 logo was found.

When many of us think of ancient civilizations our minds may venture to Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia or India. But it turns out that there was a centre of trade right in the middle of the desert just south of Dubai that connects with each of these ancient civilizations called Saruq Al-Hadid, and it’s believed to have existed as far back as the Iron Age 4,000 years ago.

Of all the many artefacts found at Saruq Al-Hadid a tiny golden ring stood out. This golden  ring, now a symbol of Emirati heritage and pride, inspired Expo 2020’s logo, and even Al Wasl Plaza, the centrepiece of the site. In this episode, we’ll tell the story of the  communities that lived in Saruq Al-Hadid and how they helped create a ring that came to represent Expo 2020 Dubai.  

This podcast is by Expo 2020 Dubai and produced by Kerning Cultures Network.

Description

Inside Expo_New

Of all the many artefacts found at Saruq Al-Hadid a tiny golden ring stood out. This golden  ring, now a symbol of Emirati heritage and pride, inspired Expo 2020’s logo, and even Al Wasl Plaza, the centrepiece of the site.

Now is your chance to witness history in the making at Expo 2020 Dubai. Journey with us through nearly 200 years of captivating history that's been made at Expos throughout the world, and learn more about the new horizons being explored at Expo 2020 Dubai. 

This podcast is by Expo 2020 Dubai, produced by Kerning Cultures Network. 

A chance to witness history in the making at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Inside Expo

Saruq Al-Hadid and Dubai’s Golden Ring

Watch this fascinating conference on the archaeology of Algeria. It discusses the earliest evidence of stone artefacts and hominin-induced tool cutmarks dated 2.6 million years ago, meaning ancestral hominins inhabited the area earlier than thought before.

Ain Boucherit Conference

Algeria: Ain Boucherit Conference

A conference discussing the earliest evidence of stone artefacts and hominin-induced tool cutmarks in Algeria.

Inside Expo: Sustainability I: The World’s Oldest Innovator

Inside Expo: Sustainability II: Harnessing the Sun

The Powerhouse Pavilions

Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion - Audio Guide

Terra

stamp Terra

Terra - Carousel

At Expo 2020, sustainability is an urgent, attainable reality, and Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion is the proof. Both immersive exhibition space and exemplar of environmental self-sufficiency, Terra is a pioneering piece of architecture that pushes the limits of renewable design.

The pavilion’s 130-metre-wide solar canopy – so vast that you could park 10 city buses head-to-tail atop it – converts sunshine into electricity for the exhibits below. Artfully funnelled natural light and local plant species, together with technologies that can reduce water consumption by 75 per cent, show the way to a sustainable future.


Inspiring experiential journey through our shared sustainable future

Two immersive paths to choose from: beneath a forest and beneath an ocean

LEED Platinum environmental features, including solar power and water recycling

Terra 

terra

Image Gallery

Videos

Terra is a super-sized marvel of forward-thinking design. The pavilion’s technology generates enough energy in a year to power a Nissan Leaf to drive halfway to Mars, while another system captures moisture from the air you breathe and turns it into drinkable water. Enter and take a fantastical journey through the wonders of nature, humanity’s challenges and the promise of our shared future. 


terra 

of harmonious living

A model

The Sustainability Pavilion

Terra is home to five thought-provoking art installations from artists around the world, with each piece demonstrating a response to the issue of sustainability.

Terra Art Installations

Young visitors can explore a fantastical world inspired by Terra's very own octopus, Octavia.

Octavia's Playground

Timelapse of Terra 

Algeria Cover

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Algeria Image gallery

During the Islamic Golden Age, the rihla was a popular Arabic literary form that chronicled not only a physical journey but a personal voyage toward spiritual discovery. The Algeria Pavilion brings this genre to Expo 2020 for a whole new generation to enjoy, offering a rihla-inspired tour through the North African nation’s heritage. The journey begins in the casbah-like plaza outside, leading visitors through a gateway to the future and into a multi-stage exhibition on Algeria’s cultural and environmental riches. Take in a high-definition film, explore the country’s desert sights and sounds, and conclude with a cup of Algerian mint tea.

Inventive rihla, or journey, through Algeria’s rich heritage

High-definition immersive film experience

Historical architectural design inspired by a classic Algerian casbah

Algeria Features

Algeria pavilion

Algeria pavilion’s entrance evokes a grand gateway made up of two blockish bronze-coloured façades cut with a triangular geometric pattern. One of these façades sits slightly ahead of the other and overlaps it across the top, creating the three-dimensional gateway effect. 

Algeria Pavilion Web Image m32602

to the future

Gateway 

Algeria Pavilion

Immerse yourself in a world of opera classics and contemporary opera fused with electronic music to the theme of the exhibition: “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future".

Gala Concert

Gala concert Lithuania

A world of classics and contemporary opera fused with electronic music to the theme of the Expo 2020: “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future".

Lithuania 1

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Lithuania Image Gallery

As a growing tech economy making advancements in lasers, life sciences and more, Lithuania is ready to open its doors to the world. You’ll see its warm spirit reflected in the airy, light-filled design of the “OPENARIUM” – the Lithuania Pavilion welcomes visitors via a shaded wooden terrace decorated with brightly coloured traditional Lithuanian shutters. Inside the pavilion, the central highlight is the “Unseen Lithuania” exhibit, which offers a high-definition digital tour of the country’s communities and natural beauty. Visitors can also sample Lithuanian cuisine at the restaurant and peruse authentic souvenirs in the retail shop.

Lithuania

Two storeys tall, the Lithuania Pavilion is decorated with evenly spaced vertical lines. The terrace structure, a cube made of wooden planks, occupies its left-front area, rising slightly above the rectangular primary building. Shutters attached to the outside of the terrace are thrown open, creating a festive feel, while an elevated stage inside the terrace looms over the entrance. 

Saruq Al Hadid: Dubai's Iron Age