Dubai, October 4 (BNA) Today, Saturday, France inaugurated its celebrations of the National Day of Expo 2020 Dubai with a range of wonderful activities, including a video message from astronaut Thomas Pesquet from the International Space Station (ISS). Acrobat show by the famous Patrol de France for the French Air Force.
At the forefront of the 192 countries participating in the six-month celebration, France is the first country to host its National Day, celebrate the country’s people, places, businesses, innovations and culture, and help inspire new ways of thinking and international cooperation, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
The celebrations were attended by a delegation from France that included Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian and Minister Plenipotentiary for Foreign Trade and Attraction Frank Riester.
Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner-General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “It is a great honor to be with you today to celebrate the first National Day of Expo 2020, the National Day of the French Republic.
“As a leader in the global shift towards a sustainable future, France has been a leader in key global commitments such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the One Planet initiative, as well as countless major efforts, and the French Pavilion is a reflection of that. A unique representation of sustainable design, 80 per cent From the energy of the pavilion is self-generated, and its theme, ‘France, Lightspeed Inspiration’, embodies France’s vision and highlights France’s many successes in shifting towards innovative, eco-friendly and user-oriented mobility solutions.”
Eric Linquier, Commissioner-General of France at Expo 2020 Dubai said: “This extraordinary day is a wonderful opportunity for France to showcase its artistic and cultural diversity to an international audience. The France Pavilion is a showcase of unique and daring French innovations and creations. All in the areas that make human history a history of progress. “.
France’s National Day celebrations spread throughout Expo 2020 Dubai, with key activities taking place at Al Wasl Plaza, including a 15-minute exchange between the famous astronaut and France Pavilion Ambassador Thomas Pesquet and the French delegation in Dubai. Pesquet, who returned to space in April 2021, on his second six-month stay on the International Space Station.
The legendary Patrol de France, the aerobatics team of the French Air Force, painted the sky blue, white and red during a dynamic flight display over the Expo. The unit traditionally opens the military parade on Bastille Day in Paris and is considered among the best in the world.
Other offerings throughout the day and via the Expo Prewam website included the Beatbox Double World Champion; Stilt-walker La Zizanie Company; and Cécilia Bengolea and François Chaignaud choreograph the stunning GrimeLove, performed by a troupe from the Ballet National de Marseille.
Children admired Mr. Sigrid, the crazy bouncer who wore eye-catching headdresses in the colors of the French flag for visitors, while students from seven French schools in the United Arab Emirates took part in a parade to highlight a global message and showcase the history of France – regarding France.
The National and Honor Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of the 200+ international participants, highlight their culture and achievements and showcase their pavilions and programmes. Each features a flag-raising ceremony at the Nations Theater in Al Wasl Plaza, followed by speeches and cultural performances.
France has a long tradition of hosting world exhibitions, organizing six in Paris, including the second World’s Fair in 1855. The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 Universal Expo in Paris, and France is the home of the governing body for world exhibitions, the Bureau International Exhibitions (BIE) .
The French Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is located in the Mobility District. It seeks to explore light as an enabler of progress, a means of communication and a source of creativity. Designed as a link between France’s proud world heritage and a more inclusive world for today, it offers solutions to build a more sustainable and more resilient world, in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
Visitors are transported into a radiant Monet-inspired vision of the country’s sustainable future. The visitor experience revolves around light, and this unifying theme has been present since the inception of the project – both in the pavilion’s architecture and in the exhibitions and event programming schedule.
Jessica Prialbato – Head Pastry Chef at Restaurant Alain Ducasse and named Best Pastry Chef in the World in 2019 by the World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards – and astronaut Pesquet are ambassadors for the Pavilion of France, chosen for their humanitarian commitments. The duo embodies French audacity and art of living: the values the pavilion was designed to display.
Expo 2020, one of the first mega global events to take place since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, invites visitors from all over the world to join in the making of a new world until March 31, 2022, in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.
MI