Inside Expo

Over 192 countries are participating in Expo 2020 Dubai, with over 60 unique daily events in a space that is twice the size of Monaco. But how do you capture the magnitude and magic of this 182-day mega event?

 

This process of ‘telling’ the story of Expo requires large teams that work behind the scenes. In this episode, we’ll uncover the ‘how’ of Expo stories; we’ll hear from the communications team drafting the messages, the media specialists setting up their operations, and, of course, from the journalists bringing Expo to your feeds.

 

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

Jason and Cesar have each visited multiple World Expos throughout their lives, including Expo 2020 Dubai. With each Expo, they travel the world over the span of a few days - without even setting foot on an airplane. But it’s more than just a trip for them - it’s an experience.

In this episode, we hear from Expo superfans, as they share their favorite stories, the work they do to keep the legacy of Expos alive, and why you should become an Expo superfan yourself. 

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

In the final episode of our three-part series exploring the music of Dubai’s Expo: the story of Al Wasl Opera, an original opera commissioned by Expo 2020 Dubai.

 

Al Wasl is the first ever Emirati opera, produced in partnership with the world-renowned Welsh National Opera. Its story spans the past, present, and future of the United Arab Emirates and asks the questions: what is Al Wasl - the link - between us as humans? Between us and our planet? Between connecting today’s minds and creating the future?

 

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

In part two of our three-part series exploring music at Dubai’s Expo, we’re talking about “This is Our Time” - the official theme song for Expo 2020 Dubai. 

 

As the official song for the first Expo event in the Arab world, the significance of “This is Our Time” spreads far and wide. While this was the first Expo theme song to have Arab musical influences, it drew inspiration from many other theme songs in history that blended local and international music. It was a worldwide collaborative effort spanning seven cities, two orchestras, and three main singers: Emirati legends Hussain Al-Jassmi and Almas, and Lebanese-American Mayssa Karaa.

 

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

In July 2020, the UAE sent off a mission to space, the Emirates Mars Mission. Inspired by the space expedition, A.R. Rahman, renowned Indian composer and performer, composed an original piece for the Firdaus Orchestra, the legacy orchestra that debuted at Expo 2020 Dubai. The heavenly Firdaus Orchestra is an ensemble of 50 female musicians from across the Arab world that bring together a constellation of different talents and diverse instruments.

 

In the first in a three-part series exploring music at Dubai’s Expo, we'll chart the makings of this wonderful orchestra with its gifted conductor Yasmina Sabbah and star mentor A.R. Rahman. 

 

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

Over the years, World Expos have become a popular platform to showcase robots and how they have evolved to fit into our human world. From Elektro, the first robot to smoke cigarettes in 1939, to the multi-lingual Actroid in 2005 at an Expo in Japan. Today, Expo 2020 Dubai is the first time the world is witnessing 152 robots distributed site-wide, interacting with visitors at an Expo.  

 

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

In Khaleeji culture, the proverb goes, “Al majalis madaris” or “The majalis are schools”. The majlis is a space for people to come together and learn, listen, and rest. It still exists today around the Arab world. In today’s episode, we look at the rich history of the majlis in the UAE and how its values have been instilled in the spirit of Expo 2020 Dubai. And everyone's invited.

 

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

Mascots, stemming from the French word mascotte meaning good luck charms, have long been present at past Expos. The first Expo mascot a cartoon pelican dressed in a tuxedo jacket and top hat at the 1984 Louisiana Specialised Expo. In this episode, we’re introducing you to the wonderful family of mascots for Expo 2020 Dubai which includes two siblings, three robot guardians, and a Ghaf tree.

 

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

Back in 1970, before the formation of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi participated at the Osaka Expo in Japan. What had started as an ambitious vision to put together a pavilion in Japan fifty years ago has blossomed into a World Expo hosting 192 countries in the UAE today. 

 

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

Since the very beginning, World Expos have been both markers and interpreters of history. From displaying steam trains at the London Expo in 1851 to unveiling the QWERTY keyboard at the Philadelphia World’s Fair in 1876.

 

Now, in an era where it's more important than ever to leverage technology to our advantage, Expo 2020 Dubai is tackling some of the questions surrounding how we actually do that.

 

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