Latest: What's next for the Expo 2020 Dubai site and the world's fair?
With only about two weeks to go before Expo 2020 Dubai closes its gates for the last time, the last of the pavilions are getting ready to mark their country day at the world's fair.
Each nation and pavilion participating in Expo 2020 Dubai has the opportunity to celebrate their country day ― or honour day ― during the six-month event.
The celebration normally includes an official flag-raising ceremony and the playing of the national anthem at Al Wasl Plaza.
Countries also provide cultural entertainment for visitors and can also present colourful parades around the site and extra celebrations at their pavilions.
Those that have not yet celebrated their country days will do so with an increased audience at Expo.
Visitor numbers have surged in recent weeks, crossing the 19 million mark on Tuesday after 1.6 million visits to the Expo in a single week.
Here, we take a look at some of the countries that will celebrate their country days during the final weeks of the event.
Ireland
Ireland will celebrate on March 17, which coincides with the country's St Patrick's Day.
A special St Patrick's Day parade, led by the Irish Defence Forces Pipe Band and including members of the Irish community in the UAE, will march from the Ireland pavilion to Al Wasl Plaza.
A show specially curated by the National Concert Hall will be led by renowned Irish instrumentalist Martin Hayes, against the backdrop of an audiovisual presentation on the dome.
Hungary
Hungary has a series of concerts planned in the lead up to its country day, March 18.
Folk musician Tamas Szarka and his band will play at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre on March 15. The following evening, the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble will give a display of authentic folk music and dance.
On the country's day of honour, in addition to the official events at Al Wasl Plaza, the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble and Ballet Company of Gyor will bring a taste of Hungarian culture to the Jubilee Stage.
Holy See
The Holy See pavilion will mark its honour day on March 19. The formal flag-raising ceremony and speeches at 10.15am will be followed by a short cultural performance consisting of a classical piece of music.
The Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, will attend the day's events and deliver a speech at Al Wasl Plaza.
Canada
Canada will showcase the breadth and diversity of its performing arts, music and dance on March 19.
There will be live music by popular singer-songwriter Marie-Mai, known as "Quebec’s Beyoncé", who will headline the national day celebrations at the Jubilee Stage.
Alt-pop duo Neon Dreams will perform in Al Wasl Plaza and Festival Garden on the day, as will international Inuit circus performers Artcirq.
Estonia
Estonia has planned both cultural and business events around its special day on March 20.
The country's pop artist of the year, NOEP, will be among the musical guests who will play at the Millennium Amphitheatre on March 19.
Estonian Voices, an award-winning vocal a cappella group that mixes jazz, classical and folk styles, will perform with DJ Sander Molder, guitarist Jonas Kaarnamets and string quartet FourEst at the Millennium Amphitheatre on March 20.
Czech Republic
Czech Spring is the theme of its national day on March 21. Classical, folk and modern music, different forms of theatre, literature, fashion, computer games and art installations are all part of a busy programme of events.
Visitors will be wooed to the pavilion by monumental puppets of the Czech lion, falcons, street theatre companies and some stilt walkers. The area around the pavilion will be lit up by light theatre installations.
The Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at the official ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza in the morning. Later in the afternoon, a Czech national parade will travel through the Sustainability District. One of the highlights of the day will be the iMucha multimedia performance at the Millennium Amphitheatre.
Namibia
Christine Mboma, Olympic silver medallist at the Tokyo Games in the 200m and Beatrice Masilingi, who was sixth in the same event last year, will lead Namibia's parade at Expo on March 24. Mboma, who was 18 when she came second, became the first-ever Namibian woman to win a women's Olympic medal.
In addition to the flag-raising ceremony, the pavilion will also host celebrations on the day. Namibia will also host an investment summit on March 23.
Barbados
The Caribbean island of Barbados will bring a taste of culture and music to Expo for its country day on March 26. Expect plenty of colour for its official ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza, with a cultural folklore performance.
The country's prime minister Mia Mottley will attend the official events.
Farrago Restaurant in the Mobility District will host give visitors a ‘A Taste of Barbados’, while the Festival Garden Stage will host a concert in the evening with some Bajan music.
Bureau International des Expositions
The final honour day falls to Bureau International des Expositions, organisers of world's fairs, on the penultimate day of Expo 2020, March 30.
Full details of what is planned have not been announced, but the programme will include a BIE Day ceremony in Al Wasl Plaza, a World Majlis conversation on the topic of ‘A Shared Future’ and the ceremony of prizes and awards, including the Expo 2020 Dubai Official Participant Awards.
Upcoming country/honour days
Gulf Co-operation Council, March 16
Democratic Republic of Congo, March 22
Greece, March 22
Pakistan, March 23
Guatemala, March 24
Liberia, March 26
Marshall Islands, March 27
South Africa, March 28
Moldova, March 28
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