FRANCE LIGHTS UP SKY TO CELEBRATE ITS NATIONAL DAY
Festivities include air show, parade, ballet and live beam from International Space Station at various venues across Dubai
France is celebrating its National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai with programmes including air shows and other events at the venue and at 10 other locations, with the main activities taking place at Al Wasl Plaza.
The festivities started with Mister Sigrid, “a crazy hatter” regaling visitors with eye-catching headgear in the colours of the French flag; while stilt-walker company La Zizanie had performers sporting alien costumes setting the day’s theme.
Visitors watched the legendary Patrouille de France, the aerobatic team of the French Air Force, paint the sky blue, white and red during a dynamic aviation display from 1:45pm.
Another highlight was the parade on Avenue of the Nations, comprising students from seven French schools in the UAE.
Centre of attraction
The official ceremony took place at Al Wasl Plaza in the afternoon in the presence of French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian and Minister Delegate of Foreign Trade and Attractiveness Franck Riester.
In the evening, visitors caught the Ballet National de Marseille at the Sun Stage; while a world premiere of an immersive sound experience by aerospace company ArianeGroup and French audio technology company Devialet takes place at Al Wasl Plaza.
Live from ISS
Also, an enormous projection of astronaut Thomas Pesquet and the Ambassador of the France Pavilion appeared on the Al Wasl dome, even as he spoke live from the International Space Station.
The France Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is located in the Mobility District and, under its theme of ‘Lightspeed Inspiration’, seeks to explore light as “an enabler of progress, a vehicle for connections and a source of creativity”.
With the visitor experience revolving around light, visitors are transported into a glittering, Monet-inspired vision of the country’s sustainable future.
An enormous projection of astronaut Thomas Pesquet and the Ambassador of the France Pavilion appeared on the Al Wasl dome, even as Pesquet spoke live from the International Space Station.