WORDS: MARISA CUTILLAS

It is humbling to think that nearly everyone wishes that things could go back to being exactly how they were – yet in the past, many probably had an array of unfulfilled wishes and desires they equated with elusive happiness.

While it is normal to be anxious or worried about the future, it is also human nature to focus on one or more goals as a way to stay motivated. We know that the health crisis will probably ease significantly in 2021 and slowly but surely, we will adapt and thrive as all living things do. In the meantime, we would like to share a small list of things we are looking forward to in the upcoming months. Without a doubt there will be many more events, openings and parties as we return to normal steadily but at the moment these are a few things we are excited about. (Feature image by Zatevahins / Shutterstock.com)

Dune

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, an adaptation of the Frank Herbert classic, is arguably the most talked about release of the year – even though its release has been postponed to December 2020 (this may extend into 2021 in some countries). This film has everything going for it – a visionary director, incredible actors (Timothée Chalamet, Javier Bardem, Zendaya, and Josh Brolin, to name just a few), and amazing cinematography by Greig Fraser (of Zero Dark Thirty fame). This version promises to remain truer to the book than David Lynch’s much-maligned film (released in 1984) and it will comprise two films (Volumes I and II). At the end of this year/start of next year we will Volume I will be released and Volume II will probably follow a few months later.

The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo

We can only imagine how excited athletes who have been training so hard for the 2020 games, are about competing in 2021. This event is slated to commence on July 23, 2021, lasting until August 8. The Paralympics, meanwhile, will start on August 24 and finish on September 5. Best of luck to all the athletes, whom we hope have taken the extra time to train hard and break more records! (Image by BT Image/Shutterstock)

Eurovision

This music-filled event was cancelled for the first time in 2020 but many of this year’s artists will be competing in the 2021 event. The list includes the performers from Belgium, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Spain, and more. We are particularly excited because Blas Cantó, a talented singer and once-member of boy band Auryn, will be aiming to earn full points for Spain.

Expo 2021 Dubai

Expo 2021 Dubai will be showcasing the very best of world design, with the UAE spending over $8 billion on required infrastructure. The exact date of the event has not been given, but organisers say it will most likely start at the end of 2021 and continue through 2022, lasting around six months. The Expo will feature 192 different country pavilions featuring narratives from every corner of the globe. Visitors will be able to discover new possibilities in 3D printing, glimpse the future of travel with the hyperloop, savour a world of flavours, enjoy top-level outdoor performances, immerse themselves in art and culture, and more.

Holistic Festivals and Activities

We are also excited about seeing magnificent events that had to be cancelled, start up again next year. This year, one event we were really looking forward to was the Mindful Travel Festival, which was going to be held at Finca La Concepción. It had a full line-up of events, including food, yoga, meditation, live DJ music, kids’ activities, eco-friendly education, and more, all taking place outdoors. We cannot wait until we can attend more holistic activities that heal body, mind, and spirit. It sounds like this is just what human beings need right now!