'Beyond Walls' land-art installation by Saype at Expo 2020 Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Friendship without borders. International Day of Friendship

What do giant handshakes painted on the ground have to do with friendship? Quite a lot, actually. Celebrated every July 30, the International Day of Friendship reminds us that tackling global challenges, like poverty, violence and injustice, starts with something surprisingly simple: human connection. That's exactly what artist Saype had in mind with 'Beyond Walls,' a series of massive, biodegradable land-art murals featuring interlinked hands. Symbolising unity and solidarity, these works have stretched across five continents. At Expo 2020 Dubai, Saype's 11th installation covered over 1,486 square metres of grass in Al Forsan Park. It formed a striking black-and-white handshake that could only be fully appreciated from above, as seen here. The piece, made with eco-friendly paint, was unveiled on Switzerland's National Day, supported by the Swiss Pavilion.

Proclaimed by the UN in 2011, the International Day of Friendship calls for building bonds across borders, cultures and generations. So, today, take a cue from Saype: reach out, connect and be part of a global human chain. Sometimes, the most powerful message begins with a single gesture.