The Country Connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean is Coming to Expo 2027 Belgrade

The Republic of Yemen, the second-largest country on the Arabian Peninsula, is one of 119 countries that have officially confirmed participation in Expo 2027 Belgrade, with the theme "Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All".

Yemen became a Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) member in 1997, and the following year, in 1998, Yemen debuted in a Specialised Expo in Lisbon. Since then, Yemen has regularly participated in International Exhibitions, and at Expo 2020 in Dubai, it won a Gold Award for Theme Interpretation.

"We look forward to the opportunity, in less than two years, to spend three months in Belgrade experiencing firsthand the rich cultural heritage of Yemen, an ancient nation with an extraordinary history. Serbia’s capital will have the rare privilege of uniting the entire world around music, play, and sport, values that connect us all, and we therefore invite other Asian countries to join us in celebrating human creativity and innovation at Expo 2027," said Danilo Jerinić, CEO of Expo 2027 Belgrade.

This country on the Red Sea coast, at the heart of the Gulf of Aden, has always been a significant historical crossroads of trade routes. Thanks to its geostrategic position near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait – one of the busiest maritime passages in the world – Yemen historically controlled the trade of frankincense, myrrh, spices, and other aromatic goods. Located in the southern Arabian Peninsula, known in antiquity as Arabia Felix due to its fertile land, Yemen is also remembered as the birthplace of commercial coffee cultivation. Before coffee spread around the globe, Yemen was the sole source of this precious bean, whose aroma is now enjoyed globally.

Yemeni culture is deeply rooted in ancient traditions and has made a significant contribution to the rich diversity of the Arab world. The country boasts a wide array of traditional games and dances, each with unique characteristics. Some of the most well-known Yemeni children’s games include Waqal (hopscotch), Al-Khal (stone collecting and throwing), Al-Kabeesh (a seashells game), and Al-Sahir (similar to hockey), while adults compete in camel jumping, ancient stick fighting (Al-Hatabah), and wrestling (Al-Qamboos).

More than 60 types of traditional Yemeni dances have been identified so far, stemming from three general categories: Al-Zaffin, Al-Sharh, and Al-Bara. These are the core dances commonly performed in Yemen, from which numerous other specific dances derive. These dances highlight local diversity, emphasize the unity of Yemeni dance traditions, and preserve rich cultural values passed down through generations.

The cultural heritage of this Arab country – shaped by traditional musical instruments such as the Qanbus, Oud, Ney, Mizmar, and Darbuka – will be on display from May 15 to August 15, 2027, in Belgrade, at the first international exhibition in the Western Balkans, expected to attract over four million visitors. More than 120 countries, international organizations, and companies from around the world are anticipated to participate in Expo 2027.