As celebrations grip the Expo 2020 Dubai, the Austrian Pavilion commemorated its Expo 2020 National Day, on Friday, amidst performances in feathered green hats and traditional red waistcoats blared on brass instruments and beat their drums to familiar tunes.

The 60-member Haiming marching band entertained the onlookers as they basked into the merriment of the pavilion’s celebration.

The event saw Her Excellency Margarete Schramböck, Federal Minister for Digital and Economic Affairs of the Republic of Austria, who was welcomed by His Excellency Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention at the Ministry of Economy, accompanied by Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director Commissioner General’s Office, Expo 2020 Dubai, and His Excellency Ibrahim Salim Al Musharrakh, UAE Ambassador to Austria.

“Under the theme ‘Austria Makes Sense’, the pavilion’s unique design creates links between the innovative thinking of our region and that of Austria by combining Arab building traditions with Austrian know-how to reduce energy consumption by up to 70 per cent. The pavilion design also positions Austria not only as a country rich in culture and natural beauty but also as a world leader in digitalisation, high-tech, science and research,” said Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali during the event.

The event also saw a performance by violinist and composer Yury Revich, who played on a violin from 1709. He played some of his original pieces, as well as rearranged works from Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven, Vivaldi, and Johanna Doderer.

Revich’s musical performance was graced by ballerina dancer Natascha Mair along with pianist Yuliya Draganova. The trio put up a special performance, merging Austria’s history and tradition with a creative look at the country’s future and innovation. Artist Martin Tardy impressed visitors with a live portrait drawing using two markers simultaneously, without lifting his hands from the page.