The curtains of the San Marino Pavilion close at the end of the Universal Exposition of Expo 2020 Dubai
The Universal Exposition in Dubai ended on Thursday 31 March at 24.00 after 184 days of promotion, events, meetings, initiatives, appointments. An incredible adventure that featured 4 managers and a team of 25 volunteers divided into two shifts, who for 6 consecutive months represented their country in the eyes of the world. A very positive outcome both for the event, which recorded the final number of almost 25 million visitors, and for the participation of the Republic of San Marino which comes very close to the ambitious expected turnout targets, registering 390 thousand admissions and confirming the good prospects in the shop area. All will be presented by the Commissioner General and the Secretary of State for Tourism Week at an official press conference on the Tourism dates. The climax of the last day took place with the Official Closing Ceremony at 6.00 pm in Al Wasl Plaza, broadcast worldwide, in the presence of the Emirati authorities and the General Commissioners of the 192 participating countries. The Republic of San Marino was represented by the Commissioner General Filippo Francini. The ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Governor of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, His Highness Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, and His Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai. “We have learned a lot together and together we have shown that the diversity of human beings has only one soul and one destiny. We have come together in an extremely difficult time, as the world has never seen, embodying the power of human will, at its better, making Expo 2020 Dubai a symbol of hope and great confidence in the future “are some words quoted in the official speech of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, instilling in everyone’s hearts a deep gratitude and gratitude for what is incredible The highest moment of the ceremony was the passage of the flag from Dubai to Osaka, the next venue for the Expo in 2025, followed by the fireworks that illuminated the imposing dome of Al Wasl. scenographic with the representation of all the flags of the participating countries and a riot of concerts and cultural performances that followed one another until one night f wave. Among the international stars who have exhibited: Norah Jones, Christina Aguilera and DJ Tiesto. The appointment was an opportunity to greet the delegations of the participating countries and relive together the beautiful and exciting moments that characterized the extraordinary adventure of Expo Dubai 2020. Very touching moments for the San Marino Pavilion, which could not do without to remember his beloved Commissioner General Mauro Maiani, who died on October 31st in Dubai just one month from the start of Expo. The Pavilion has also for the last time opened its doors to the public and to the members of the great Expo Family, wonderful colleagues and friends with whom, over the course of these long six months, bonds and deep relationships have been built. Frangenti of great pride and satisfaction also experienced together with the arrival of the Secretary of State for Tourism and Expo Federico Pedini Amati who gathered all the staff inside the Pavilion with whom he congratulated each of them thanking them for the demonstrated professionalism, for their commitment and for the pride and enthusiasm with which they represented their country at the world event. The dismantling operations of the Pavilion will begin from 4 April, involving the return of the Domagnano Treasure to the State Museum and the reuse in San Marino of some panels and elements of the exhibition area. Now we look to the future, to follow up on the many opportunities and contacts created in recent months while the Secretary of State is already saying goodbye to Osaka in Japan, a country that has taken up the baton and which, in 2025, will host the next state Exhibition. Universal entitled “Designing a future society for our lives”.
Pavilion Director Letizia Cardelli: “This was the first Expo in the Middle East for San Marino, in a context in which the Republic and its potential were not fully known – much has been done, and San Marino can say that it shows to the world with its best face, our 25 Volunteers. Expo was also the first global event after two years marked by the pandemic; the Pavilion closed its doors yesterday after welcoming just under 400,000 visitors, and with equally satisfying proceeds. The balance is not only positive, but excellent: MoUs have been signed, agreements with the chambers of commerce, and relationships have been established with countries with which San Marino has not had such precious opportunities for close encounters ”.
Commissioner General Filippo Francini: “I thank again all my heart the managerial staff and our 25 volunteers, the service provided and for the daily commitment shown in guaranteeing the functioning of the pavilion and the promotion of the country in such an important and significant event. I am sure that experience has enriched each of us professionally and personally and can be a very precious baggage for the future of the country. Not least thanks to the numerous sponsors and all those who contributed to the creation and success of the San Marino Pavilion in the Expo 2020 Dubai project ”.
cs General Commissioner of the Government for the Universal Exhibition 2020 Dubai