DUBAI, 13 February 2022 – San Marino marked its Expo 2020 Dubai National Day on Sunday with a celebration of the European microstate’s history and culture.
His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai welcomed His Excellency Francesco Mussoni and His Excellency Giacomo Simoncini, Captain Regents of the Republic of San Marino.
HE Sheikh Nahayan said: “The San Marino Pavilion invites visitors of Expo 2020 Dubai to discover the modern innovations of the oldest surviving republic in the world. Visitors to the pavilion will discover San Marino’s vast offerings in tourism, services and investments, along with its potential to become a hub for innovation.
“The UAE and San Marino share strong relations and bilateral exchanges that have been expanding over the years, and with Expo 2020, we hope to build on the partnerships between our two countries, as we explore opportunities for collaboration in sectors of mutual priority.”
HE Mussoni and HE Simoncini urged nations to adopt joint action on a global level to deal with shared challenges, adding that the pandemic was proof that a united and unambiguous response was the only way to overcome the challenges and emergencies of the 21st century.
HE Mussoni said: “Expo will be a platform, whose purpose will be to incentivise discussions and pursue innovative solutions in the fields of renewable energy, protection of the environment and mobility, to set the realisation of a sustainable future as a common goal.”
HE Simoncini added: “In this moment, Dubai is an ideal bridge between East and West – a meeting place for different stories, cultures and traditions – where individual countries can set aside their disagreements, accept their diversity, and promote synergy based on what they have in common.”
The official National Day ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza included a charming musical performance by MSV and Giostremia, an all-women ensemble of seven musicians, and the Flagwavers Cultural Show – a historical commemoration of a typical medieval show enacted by the republic’s Crossbow Men’s Federation.
In the evening, a special Al Wasl Plaza projection show saw the San Marino flag and other images from the country turned into a 360-degree spectacular, with the country’s national anthem as the soundtrack.
The National Day celebrations were preceded yesterday (12 February) by a number of related events, including a visit by Olympic medalists Alessandra Perilli and Gian Marco Berti to the San Marino Pavilion. San Marino, with a population close to 34,000, won three medals in Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, boasting the highest Olympic medal count per capita.
The San Marino Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, located in the Opportunity District, showcases the history and culture of one of the oldest republics in Europe. Visitors embark on a journey into San Marino’s past, present and future, and see the Domangnano Treasure, a historic set of jewels currently in the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and explore investment opportunities as the country develops its innovation hub.
National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of Expo’s 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements, and showcasing their pavilions and programming.
Running until 31 March, Expo 2020 Dubai invites visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.
