Elias keeps his participation in the World Exhibition on his ID card
A Sudanese documents his stories at the "Expo Dubai"... with souvenirs from every country
Photography: Ahmed Ardeti
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The Sudanese youth, Abdel Maryam Murshid Ayyad Elias, through his participation in his country's pavilion at "Expo 2020 Dubai", succeeded in collecting various souvenirs, which he was keen to obtain from the pavilions of the largest international event in the region, in his desire to preserve a unique memory of "Expo 2020 Dubai". It tells stories specific to each country.
Elias began the journey of collecting souvenirs (pins in particular), during his spare time by visiting his peers working in the wings, getting to know them, and exchanging souvenirs with them.
The Sudanese young man was keen to show this group to visitors, by placing it on the tape of his identification card, which draws attention to him as soon as it falls on it, and given the large number that cannot be displayed once, he works to change it periodically.
Each “souvenir” that Elias collected carries a meaning and meaning, as it symbolizes landmarks and special events that distinguish the countries he represents: “National and important events and occasions are usually associated with special editions of memories, which prompts collectors to be keen on obtaining and preserving them, as I do.”
Discovery
On his participation in the "Expo 2020 Dubai", Elias told "Emirates Today": "I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to participate in this international event, which includes organizations and 192 participating countries, and for the first time in the history of (International Expo) each country has its pavilion. It offers visitors the opportunity to discover the uniqueness of each country in hundreds of pavilions, and to enjoy a wide range of cultural experiences.”
He added, "My experience working in one of the corners in the Sudan Pavilion, which is located in the mobility area, is very interesting, as I get to know on a daily basis a diverse group of visitors, who belong to different nationalities and cultures, and I provide them with information about the pavilion."
carved map
Elias continued: “I feel very proud of my country’s pavilion, which provides the guests of the global event with the necessary information on their journey inside it, introducing Sudan’s history and future, and the cultural diversity that characterizes it, in addition to the recent waves of change to reform its economy.
It enables them to enjoy the sights and sounds of the water flowing along the White and Blue Niles, before they meet to form the Nile River, through the central courtyard of the pavilion, which includes a sculpted map of Sudan, and a waterway that mimics the Nile River, which represents the essence of life in it.
Limitless opportunities
The Sudanese youth, Abdel Maryam Elias, explained that his country's pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai presents a distinctive image of Sudan, and highlights limitless opportunities in agriculture and industrial and mining sites, noting that the pavilion provides products and solutions through the "Inventions and Innovations Chamber". From government, private and educational institutions, individuals, start-ups and small and medium-sized companies to the three themes of Expo: Opportunities, Mobility and Sustainability.
Sudanese youth:
• “I get to know on a daily basis a diverse group of visitors who belong to different nationalities and cultures.”
• "I started the journey of collecting souvenirs during my spare time, by visiting my peers working in the wings, and exchanging gifts with them."