Morocco at Dubaï Expo is clearly off the beaten path. The Kingdom clearly displays its best, on themes where it is not expected.
I had chosen what appeared to me the best time to visit the Moroccan Pavilion: 4:30pm… Ideal time to enjoy a glass of mint tea along with Moroccan savouries.
The least I can say, is that I have not been disappointed! I even got mesmerized. Morocco obviously offered me more than tea!
PAVILION OF MOROCCO AT DUBAÏ EXPO: ARCHITECTURE
First of all, the pavilion is simply enormous, sizewise. Its shape reminded me of some kind of a mix between the architecture of riads and ksars. Its ocre stone walls are a tribute to the colour of the ground of southern Morocco.
Built in a very contemporary square shape, the pavilion can be seen from the train leading to the Exhibition site.
It rises in the sky, well above the neighboring pavilions. It could have been simply pretentious, but it is actually grandiose and the inside imposes as just much as its outside appearance.
To make the visit even more fun and interactive a very pleasant escape game leads the visitor along the discovery of the pavilion.
Vector of «softpower», the Morocco pavilion in Dubai Expo undeniably affirms the ambitions of the Kingdom.
The days of caravans are clearly over, new Morocco has entered into modernity without denying its traditions.
Tradition and Modernity, “ wakon yo sai”…
Inspired by the architecture of ksars from outside and an inside space distribution reminding of riads. Meanwhile, the interior facades are made of interlaced woodwork that has clearly been inspired by the art of moucharabiehs.
Yet, most fascinating are the large openings on the outside view, all along the way of the visit, which begins on the seventh floor.
Morocco is thus the only pavilion to offer a panoramic view of the entire Exhibition site and the far away towers of Dubai city centre.
MOROCCO BETWEEN TRADITION AND ECO-SUSTAINABILITY
The praise of tradition
Your visit begins with a short movie immersing the visitor inside Morocco’s most famous assets: beaches, souks, carpets, medina, the unmissable mint tea… As a devote “Fassi”, I felt proud to identify in the movie, the beautiful, tinted windows of the Mokri Palace in Fez. You can, by the way, explore the palaces of Fez on our blog.
After this short film, acting as an apetizer, my journey started with a lift ride to the seventh floor.
Of course, you cannot escape a historical reminder. Thus, it is amidst a unique play of light and shadows, that I was taken to the discovery of Ibn Battuta and Leo the African, who have gratified Morocco and Fez in particular, with their presence.
However, Morocco at Dubai Expo aims at showing that the Kingdom is looking towards the future.
A modern kingdom
Morocco clearly emphasizes on its commitment to biodiversity and ecology.
The commitment to renewable energy is superbly put in stage through a wall of automatic doors that open and close on each type of renewable energy produced by the Kingdom.
A kind of glamorous automat that takes the visitor beyond the sole ecological stakes.
An updated tradition
The herbalist’s laboratory is a striking symbol of this duality between tradition and modernity.
A true tribute to the traditional pharmacopoeia, I really had a crush for this workshop.
I love Rachid’s stall, my herbalist in the souk of Fez and I was not disappointed in Dubaï! Same jars, same roots.
Yet, in Dubaï, the herbalist’s scenery belongs to the future. The jars are staged in an environment of exceptional refined elegance. The walls and shelves alternate between trendy light-colored wood and white walls. A kind of laboratory both glamorous and aesthetic.
The stills are bubbling. The mirror game is fascinating. I literally loved it.
But Rachid’s mint tea and the dust of Fez where missing. I remembered that I was actually thirsty and really motivated by a glass of meat tea available from the tearoom. So, I moved on to the next step of my visit.
MOROCCO AT DUBAÏ EXPO: THE MAGIC OF MINT TEA
In keeping with the traditional spirit, it was not possible not to find mint tea at the Moroccan Pavillon.
Indeed, the tea room awaits the visitor downstairs, in the patio. It is also accessible to everyone, even without visiting the pavilion.
As at home, a setting of carpets and ottomans awaits exhausted visitors eager to recharge their batteries. After indulging on my so much longed after mint tea and “gazelle horn” (Moroccan savory made of almond paste), I finally left Morocco at Dubaï Expo.
Ultimately, I managed to last until 11pm at the Universal exhibition. If the playful pavilion of Germany, dedicated to technology shines by its pragmatic genius, if the Saudi pavilion profoundly and pleasantly surprised me, Morocco at Dubai Expo really made me vibrate.
Follow me in a small short video exploration.