‘The Future is Human’

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter/ WAM

Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, is welcoming visitors from around the world to explore, experience and embrace the message that “The Future is Human”.

Powered by LG Electronics, the two-level Dubai Cares Pavilion located within the Opportunity District, takes visitors of all ages including children, youth and adults on an immersive journey through its various zones.

In addition to highlighting Dubai and the UAE’s journey before, during, and after education, each activity within these zones delivers a message about the importance of various stages of learning for children and culminates with an exciting glimpse into the future of education, skilling and work for youth and adults.

During October, the pavilion welcomed nearly 16,000 visitors from around the world.

Dr Tariq Al Gurg, Commissioner General for the Dubai Cares Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai and CEO of Dubai Cares, said, “The Dubai Cares Pavilion has exceeded all expectations and is proving to be a magnificent showcase of what makes the UAE one of the most generous nations in the world. Following a couple of years of preparation and close cooperation with Expo 2020 Dubai as well as the amazing support we have received from our sponsors and partners, we are now excited to welcome the world to discover this story and take them on an enriching journey into the future of education, skilling and work.”

He added that every activity at the pavilion has been carefully designed to appeal to visitors of all ages in a fun-filled manner while also giving them a sneak peek into what lies ahead in the future.

Every visitor to the pavilion will discover the power of education in shaping Dubai Cares’ future as they engage in a series of enlightening experiences developed in partnership with industry-leading education experts from around the world. “Through it all, they will come to realise that while disruption is here to stay and transform our lives, the future is human and will always be,” Dr Al Gurg added.

The ground level experience will leave visitors of all ages engaged in fun-based learning. Right from their arrival itself, guests will be treated to an enriching experience in “The Awakening” zone as they go on the UAE’s deeply inspiring journey into education. They will develop a deeper sense of admiration for the huge emphasis the country’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, placed on education as a building block for the nation’s sustainable growth and development throughout history.

In the “Dubai Cares Achievements” zone, visitors will then have the opportunity to learn more about the impact of the Dubai Cares movement and how it represents the people of the UAE who are known for their cultural, intellectual and social diversity, their shared values of respect, care and compassion and their collective commitment to transforming education globally.

 ‘The French Art De Vivre: The Chalhoub Group, the leading partner for luxury across the Middle East since 1955, has launched ‘The French Art De Vivre, A Dream to Share’ exhibition at the France Pavilion, Dubai Expo 2020.

Through Tanagra, the Middle East’s destination for luxury lifestyle, the exhibition combines prestigious creations from the three legendary Maisons: Baccarat, Bernardaud and Christofle, brought together in a spectacular scenography.

Aligned with the Dubai Expo 2020 theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” the exhibition highlights the rich know-how of French craftsmanship, while offering a look into how innovation is driving the future of luxury. Almost urging visitors to pause and walk into a world of dreamlike allure, the exhibition recreates the beauty of luxurious French heritage through handcrafted masterpieces from the renowned Maisons.

Each space hosts a carefully curated selection of pieces. Starting with Christofle, the brand that holds a very special place in Chalhoub Group’s history. It was in 1955 that Michel Chalhoub and his wife Widad, founded the Chalhoub Group in Damascus by opening the first Christofle boutique.

For this exhibition, the artisan Maison curated “Tree of Life”, symbolizing Christofle’s attachment to its history, roots, and international influence while also showcasing the unique goldsmith’s expertise and skills that have made the brand famous since its creation in 1830.  Featuring a tree measuring 2 meters high, 1 meter in diameter, and weighing nearly 100 kg, including 1 kg of sterling silver and 21 grams of gold, the “Tree of Life” is composed of 37 structural elements, decorated with 142 butterflies; each piece is manually attached to the globe with the UAE landmark Burj Khalifa as the centrepiece. Following the exhibition, the Christofle masterpiece will find its home in a spectacular display at the Dubai Mall.

Continuing the journey inside the exhibition with Bernardaud, the leader in French porcelain since 1863. This brand has been treasured by the Chalhoub Group for 30 years, combining French know-how, innovation, creativity, and tradition through the fine art of Limoges. For the occasion of the French luxury brand’s 160th anniversary, its latest collaboration with the American artist Jeff Koons will be showcased at the exhibition for the first time; Balloon Dog (Blue), a uniquely curated porcelain limited edition of 799 pieces. This unique piece recreates a balloon, twisted into the shape of a dog, in painstaking detail on a monumental scale, symbolizing the artist’s original and emblematic ten-foot-tall sculpture, Balloon Dog.

The third legendary Maison Baccarat has been part of the Chalhoub family since the inception of Tanagra and is the leading name in French fine crystal. Creating signature pieces, Baccarat is a true advocate of fine luxury and has become synonymous with unique expertise. One of the brand’s masterpieces in the exhibition is the Medicis XXL by the world-renowned Dutch artist, Hans van Bentem, an impressive and innovative interpretation of the vase created by Baccarat in 1909. Erected like a real sculpture of light some 2.50 meters tall, this exceptional creation, adorned with 13,000 octagons, is a glorious tribute to extravagance and van Bentem’s artistic talent.

The exhibition is also hosting an Artist Space by Tanagra, a manifestation of the creativity of three French artists, Colombe Faber, Sabine Blanchard and Gregoire de Lafforest. The artists exhibit the French art of living by reinterpreting ancestral art with the codes of modernity.

Commenting on the French Art de Vivre exhibition, Patrick Chalhoub, Group President, Chalhoub Group, said:  “As the UAE is celebrating another global first, the first World Expo in the MENASA region, we are extremely proud to play an integral role in this international event. Being the ‘Thematic Partner’ of the France Pavilion has enabled us to showcase the ‘French art de vivre’ exhibition, a blend combination of culture, craftsmanship and luxury through an immersive experience. The beauty and elegance of French craftsmanship inspired my parents greatly and led to the opening of the first Christofle boutique in Damascus, Syria, in 1955, laying the foundation of our family business. Today, more than 65 years later, I feel extremely humbled that we are still the first to uphold the heritage of French art de vivre, mindfully infused with the UAE’s modernity, at one of the Arab world’s foremost events.”