| Winning the Golden Award for the Best Creative Display |
| Press Releases |
| Tuesday, 02 November 2010 |
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Saudi Pavilion Praised for Success at the Largest World Expo in History
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah ibn 'Abdulaziz, had assigned the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs to represent the Kingdom in World Expo Shanghai 2010, “Better Cities, Better Life”, hosted by the People’s Republic of China from May 1st to October 31st. Since then, the Ministry has put in extensive efforts to achieve the goals of its participation in this enormous international gathering, which has attracted over 73 million visitors. The pavilion was designed to exemplify energy conservation for a better future and a prosperous world. On October 30th the Saudi pavilion’s participation was awarded the golden award for the Best Creative Display at the Expo Awards Ceremony. This prize honored the Saudi pavilion’s Commission recognizing the efforts they have exerted towards making project a great success.
“The People’s Republic of China is a great nation with a great history and a great future. Saudi Arabia was very eager to participate to Expo Shanghai 2010 to reach out the people of China and reinforce our excellent relations. I believe our two nations can bring a lot to each other in many fields. On behalf of the kingdom, I am proud our participation was such a remarkable success and I wish the best future to our relations” said HRH Prince Mansour bin Metib bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Municipalities and Rural Affairs
The presence of Saudi Arabia with more than 6000 square meters (Moon Boat) pavilion was a great opportunity to reach out to the most populated country and to reinforce the kingdom’s good relations with China.
“We knew that this Expo will be the biggest ever world expo in history”, said Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Shaikh, the Pavilion Commissioner General and Deputy Minister for Town Planning at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. “Our participation was an excellent platform to show that Saudi Arabia is a modern country, befitting the modern age while being proud of its traditions and heritage”, he added.
Dr. Mohammad Al Ghamdi, Executive Director of Saudi Commission, also stressed this idea when he said: “The Kingdom’s pavilion, with its huge structure, the level of participation in it and its diverse programs and content, reflects the strong ties and mutual interests between the two countries.”
Over the past six months, the popular “Moon Boat”, symbolizing the “friendship” between the Chinese and Saudi people, has attracted more than 4.5 million visitors and has successfully increased the popularity of the Kingdom in China. In addition to the main pavilion, the Kingdom has also presented “Mina Tent City”, its unique experience of providing hundreds of thousands of safe tents in the Mina area to accommodate more than 4 million pilgrims each year for only a few days during which they perform the Hajj. This other Saudi exhibition has attracted more than 1.2 million visitors.
The Saudi Pavilion reflects the Kingdom’s cultural and geographic diversity and its development; giving Chinese and other visitors a look into its rich history as well as its sustainable and wise solutions for better living in future urban environments. It represented a unique occasion to show the Chinese people a more accurate image of Saudi Arabia and its people. Once in the pavilion, visitors started an awesome and unforgettable virtual journey to Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Pavilion's folklore group has presented traditional dances from Saudi Arabia to entering visitors, who continued through the Corridor of Arts, where artworks of the artist "Lulwah" were on display to proceed to the famed “Treasure Hall Cinema” where a fascinating 1600 m2 screen showed a film highlighting the Kingdom’s amazing landscapes, advanced technology and creativity. The visit ended with a walk around the Bedouin tent and palm trees in the rooftop Arabian Oasis, which offered one of the most remarkable views of the Expo Park and Shanghai's skyline.
The Saudi pavilion has received many heads of State, Royals, Ministers, business men, artists and celebrities, to whom the Saudi Pavilion was a priority destination as the numerous expressions of friendship and sympathy written in the pavilion’s guest book testify. The pavilion has also organized many visits for schools and groups of underprivileged or disabled children and adults; presented the first Saudi Art Exhibition in Shanghai called “Nabatt” exhibiting 23 Saudi artists. The Saudi pavilion also held two major forums: the Youth Forum which gathered young Chinese and Saudi people and the Saudi Forum which has shown the diversity and richness of distinguished men and women from Saudi Arabia. Finally, Saudi Arabia participated in the Youth Forum organized by the Worl Expo 2010 Bureau.
The success of the Saudi participation in Expo Shanghai 2010 made Saudi Arabia’s officials and citizen, both in Shanghai and at home very happy and grateful to the millions of visitors who showed interest in the Kingdom's pavilion. "We did not expect to be so popular but this is something that makes us proud and encourage us to strenghten our relations with the Chinese government and people", said Dr. Al-Shaikh.
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