Global Arab Network | Saudi Arabia - Bedouin tents, date trees at Shanghai Expo

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Saudi Arabia - Bedouin tents, date trees at Shanghai Expo

Global Arab Network - - Maha Karim

Saturday, 01 May 2010 12:28

Saudi Arabia is taking part with two pavilions at Shanghai Expo, a national one having an area of 6,000 square meters and another one depicting the tent city of Mina in Makkah.

The national pavilion has a “moon boat” shape and is surrounded by deserts and seas. Along with the 150 date palms that are planted in the pavilion, its main attraction is a huge Imax screen. The 1,600-sq-m screen is larger than any other cinema screen on earth. Short films will be presented on the screen.

The tent city of Mina at the Urban Best Practices Area is a testament to one of the world’s most innovative and life-improving urban development experiments in the history of World Expos. Mina, a city located on the pilgrimage route from Makkah to nearby Mount Arafat, is known for its sophisticated urban planning, facilities and world-class infrastructure. It is one of 55 city projects that have been selected from 226 nominations from around the world for exhibition on the 15-hectare zone, where, for the first time in the event’s history, cities are invited to show off cutting-edge architecture and design concepts.
Shanghai_Expo_Saudi_Arabia_Pavilion-1

The Saudi Arabia Pavilion features a fine centrepiece: a huge hanging boat shaped like a half moon. The "moon boat" is loaded with dreams and friendship. Date palms have been planted on the top deck of the boat, creating a hanging garden, and thus epitomizing the oases in the desert. Visitors will receive a warm welcome in both modern as well as traditional Bedouin tents set among date palm trees.

The pavilion showcases the Arabian wisdom in creating wonderful city life in spite of the severe natural environment without rivers or lakes. Highlights of its exhibition include four types of cities: the City of Energy, the City of Oasis, the Ancient City with Rich Cultural Heritage, and the City of Fast-growing Economy.

Shanghai_Expo_Saudi_Arabia_Pavilion-

Garden with Chinese and Saudi Trees
The first floor of the pavilion is a garden with both Chinese and Saudi trees growing, a symbol of the friendship between the two nations. Saudi Arabia, the homeland of the date palm tree, has reproduced the scene of an oasis in the desert by replanting palm trees on both the rooftop garden and the friendship garden at the ground level. The design is to have the pavilion elevated above the ground and floating between two gardens.

IMAX Screen
The pavilion's main attraction is a huge IMAX screen. The 1,600-square-meter screen is larger than any other cinema screen on earth. Short films will be presented on the screen.

Exotic Arabian Flavor
The pavilion features a 2,000-square-meter cultural plaza where traditional cultural activities will take place. Dancers from all over Saudi Arabia will participate in dances and other activities within the plaza on a daily basis. The main entrance and exit of the pavilion form part of the pavilion hall, which features an enormous atrium with walls and fountains with rich Arabic geometrical latticework. Visitors will explore the historical Silk Road route as well as traditional crafts and special collections here.

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