Switzerland Expo 2020 Dubai National Day celebrates peace and unity

DUBAI: Switzerland celebrated its Expo 2020 Dubai National Day earlier today with a visit by the nation’s President and an inspirational art project that spreads a message of unity and peace.

The National Day celebration began in Al Wasl Plaza, with Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation welcomed by His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai.

President Parmelin said, “On the National Day of Switzerland at Expo 2020 Dubai, we stand together in Al Wasl Plaza, the heart of this impressive site, to honour and celebrate the first world exhibition in the Middle East and North Africa. Pulling off the organisation of such a major event, which gathers people from all over the world, and lasts for six months, would be a major feat at any moment in time. But doing so in a period of uncertainty, such as the last 18 months, is an incredible accomplishment. I whole-heartedly congratulate the United Arab Emirates for making Expo 2020 Dubai a reality, and thank the organisers for their sustained cooperation and kind support.”

His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan said, “It pleases me to mention that Switzerland was the first country to confirm its participation at Expo 2020 Dubai, back in April 2016 and the first to reveal its pavilion to the world. With a long history of Expo participations, it is no surprise that Switzerland has won several awards for its pavilions’ architecture, exhibits, and theme interpretation. Switzerland’s participation (at Expo 2020 Dubai) emphasises the successes and milestones of its people, particularly in the field of scientific research and innovation. The pavilion features various products, projects, and programmes developed by Swiss universities, start-ups, and world-renowned Swiss companies, and positions Switzerland as one of the world’s leading innovation hubs. The pavilion also gives us a unique glimpse into this friendly nation’s diverse culture, multiple languages, and globally-renowned tourist destinations.”

Highlights of the day included ‘Beyond Walls’, the continuation of a three-year art project initiated by French-Swiss artist Saype, with giant frescoes of interlocking hands, painted in biodegradable paint at Expo’s Al Forsan Park, as well as a performance by Cirque au Sommet, featuring world-class circus acts.

Saype is seen as a leader in the ‘land art’ movement. His row of interlocking hands became the longest human chain ever in Paris in 2019, running along the greenery beneath the Eiffel Tower, and has since been recreated in destinations such as Berlin, Andorra, Geneva, Istanbul, and Cape Town – and now Expo 2020 Dubai. Saype hopes to take the project to more locations, with the powerful image spreading a message of unity and peace.

Cirque au Sommet, meanwhile, wowed audiences as the gymnasts, contortionists and other acts took to the stage shortly after the morning flag-raising ceremony in Al Wasl.

National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of its 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements. The Switzerland Pavilion, named ‘Reflections’, showcases the country’s landscapes, with a pavilion café offering Swiss chocolate.

Source: Expo 2020 website