The UAE Pavilion which recreated a date palm oasis, has been named one of the world’s top three large pavilions for its architecture and landscape as Expo 2025 Osaka drew to an end.
The six-month World’s Fair held in Japan closed on Monday and, in keeping with tradition before shutters came down, the world’s finest pavilions were selected from the hundreds on site.
The glass-encased UAE Pavilion, constructed using agricultural waste and discarded date palm trees, won the bronze prize in the self-built pavilions category larger than 1,500 sq metres. Saudi Arabia won gold followed by Spain with silver.
Emirati architect Ahmed Bukhash said judges were impressed with the “free-flowing” UAE Pavilion, which captured the Emirati spirit.
“It intrigued the judges. The beauty of the UAE Pavilion was its translucent appearance, making it unique among other pavilions, and that it opened up to a palm tree oasis,” he said.
“The open paths created inside made sure visitors could wander around to look at the UAE’s heritage, legacy and future plans. Its openness also reflected the hospitality of UAE citizens, who greet visitors with open hearts.”
Moment of pride
The UAE Pavilion, built using more than two million date palm fronds, told the nation's story from builtpearl diving history, highlighted exhibits such as silver khanjars (daggers), earthen incense burners and charted the country’s progress in space exploration and sustainability.
“The pavilion showcased Emirati talent – this was inbuilt in the design and was a tribute to the true Emirati spirit,” Mr Bukhash said.
The Emirati architect had the honour of being selected by the BIE, the governing body for World Expos, to serve on the jury that awarded the best pavilions at the Osaka Expo.
Awards for large, medium and small pavilions are announced at the end of each six-month fair. Judges recuse themselves when the voting covers their home country pavilion to avoid a conflict of interest.
The pavilions were judged on design and connection to the Osaka Expo theme, Designing a Future Society of Our Lives.
Mr Bukhash spoke of the moment of pride when he heard the UAE named among the award recipients during a ceremony at the Expo venue on Monday.
“The jury members were local Japanese, others were from the US and Europe. They enjoyed how the UAE used the areesh (palm frond) to harmonise the architecture with the landscape.”
Handing the baton to Saudi Arabia
The next Expo, in 2030, will be held in Saudi Arabia and this will mark the second time the World’s Fair will be hosted in the Middle East and North Africa region after Expo 2020 Dubai.
Saudi Arabia’s pavilion was second in size after the host nation Japan’s pavilion. Saudi Arabia won first place for an immersive experience that took visitors on traditional winding village pathways that led to inner courtyards with exhibits.
“We feel privileged to be alongside our brothers,” Mr Bukhash said.
“This was a baton that was handed over and it keeps the Expo within the region as it now passes to our neighbours. The Saudi pavilion showed a uniqueness in the courtyard design and how it showed new technologies to revitalise the nation. Keeping a focus on the Middle East helps us project growth for all.”
Guide for next expos
The Expo in Japan’s port city has welcomed more than 25 million visitors on the artificial Yumeshima island in Osaka Bay. Pavilions were set up within a grand ring, the world’s largest wooden architectural ring-structure that was purpose-built for the Expo.
“Throughout the last six months, diverse cultures from around the world have gathered together in one place … engaging in initiatives, dialogue, and collaboration,” said Yoshitaka Ito, Japan’s Minister for the World Expo during a ceremony at the site.
“I am convinced that this Expo has served as a road map for overcoming global fragmentation. We are determined to pass on the insights and experience gained through Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan to guide the next expos.”
Dimitri S Kerkentzes, secretary general of the BIE, highlighted the importance of dialogue through expos.
“Here in Yumeshima, over 150 countries have presented the best of themselves in beautiful and inspiring pavilions and seized the opportunity to engage in dialogue, create new links and strengthen existing relations. During times of turbulence, Expo 2025 Osaka has been a beacon of all that is wonderful in the world.”
Emirati guides win hearts at Expo 2025 Osaka – in pictures
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures
Tuesday, October 29
Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE
Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman
Wednesday, October 30
Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one
Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two
Thursday, October 31
Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four
Friday, November 1
Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one
Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two
Saturday, November 2
Third-place playoff, 2.10pm
Final, 7.30pm
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Notable salonnières of the Middle East through history
Al Khasan (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)
Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
A poet and writer, Marrash helped revive the tradition of the salon and was an active part of the Nadha movement, or Arab Renaissance. Born to an established family in Aleppo in Ottoman Syria in 1848, Marrash was educated at missionary schools in Aleppo and Beirut at a time when many women did not receive an education. After touring Europe, she began to host salons where writers played chess and cards, competed in the art of poetry, and discussed literature and politics. An accomplished singer and canon player, music and dancing were a part of these evenings.
Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
Mayy Ziyadah (Cairo)
Ziyadah was the first to entertain both men and women at her Cairo salon, founded in 1913. The writer, poet, public speaker and critic, her writing explored language, religious identity, language, nationalism and hierarchy. Born in Nazareth, Palestine, to a Lebanese father and Palestinian mother, her salon was open to different social classes and earned comparisons with souq of where Al Khansa herself once recited.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg:
Juventus 1 Ajax 2
Ajax advance 3-2 on aggregate
THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
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Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds