Al Burda is a multidisciplinary platform run by the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth, dedicated to celebrating diverse facets of Islamic arts and culture, through promoting creativity and experimentation in Islamic art practices and fostering critical discourse between experts, institutions and communities on the past, present and future of Islamic culture.

The name itself, Al Burda, is derived from "Qasidat Al Burda"; Ode of the Mantle - an epic poem for the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), authored by the 13th century Sufi mystic Imam Al Busiri.

Don’t miss this event on Islamic arts and culture. The Ministry of Culture and Youth launches the 2nd edition of Al Burda Festival, featuring talks, workshops and exhibitions. The festival will also host the 16th Al Burda Award Ceremony.

Description

Al Burda Festival

The Ministry of Culture and Youth hosts the 16th Al Burda Award Ceremony, in celebration of the 2nd edition of Al Burda Festival.

Dubai Exhibition Centre - Audio Guide

Dubai Exhibition Center

Take in conferences and performances a mere 300 metres away from Al Wasl Plaza.

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Enjoy the serene movement of the DEC's shading element.

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Expo 2020 connects minds from around the globe. These connections are not limited to the pavilions and parks, but also extend to the vast Dubai Exhibition Centre: a new, state-of-the-art venue for conferences, concerts and more. 

Conveniently located next to the recently completed Expo 2020 metro station, with striking views of the magnificent domed Al Wasl Plaza, the DEC offers 45,000 square metres of customisable event space, 14 exhibition and multi-use halls, on-site catering, and best-in-class audio-visual resources.


A light geometric pattern decorates the DEC’s extraordinarily broad front façade, which features a giant overhanging arch over the entrance to the central plaza area, as well as sloped surfaces that seem to angle away from the entrance like a pair of wings

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event space

A sleek

Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC)

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His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R2), Minister of Foreign Aff airs and International Cooperation and Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi (L3)), Minister of Culture and Youth present awards to winnders during the Al B

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Sheikh Mahmoud Eltohamy performs during the Al Burda Awards at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) m25149

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Watar Orchestra perform during the Al Burda Awards at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) m25147

Image Gallery

Al Burda Festival 2021 Awards Ceremony

Technology is considered a science of craft, it is a development of skills that are used to produce tangible and intangible goods and services. Heritage crafts are systems that are created to produce an outcome or series of products that identify a society, preserving its culture. Some Emirati crafts include Talli and Safeefah weaving, which resulted into products used in multifunctional manners. This session will focus on the future of urban design, textiles, fashion, and architecture.

Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, together with art and technology experts, developed a physical and virtual talk and workshop to showcase ways by which crafts and technology could coexist, and serve as great tools to sustaining one another and crafting the future. The session will include a series of Talli & Safeefah weaving workshops, led by Irthi, using tablet technology.

Join the event, and interact via https://zoom.us/j/93850568121

Panel Discussion & Workshop: Crafting the Future

Irthi: Crafting the Future

Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council presents an integrated talk and workshop session to discuss ways in which crafts and technology could coexist. Co-curated by NAMA Women Advancement.

Inside Expo: The Brave Women

Women's Pavilion - Audio Guide

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Women's Pavilion Image gallery

Women make tremendous contributions to the world, yet many remain unknown or forgotten. The Women’s Pavilion in collaboration with Cartier at Expo 2020 challenges this imbalance by taking visitors on a journey through the remarkable achievements of women across the globe. Our showcase underscores the principle that “When women thrive, all of humanity thrives”.

The pavilion showcases the exceptional accomplishments of women, world-famous and unknown. Immerse yourself in the triumphs of women through history, discover the journeys women have taken to claim their equality and dive into the stories of the inspirational women shaping our future.


Globe-spanning tour of women’s achievements and ongoing challenges

Multisensory exhibition created by actor/artist Mélanie Laurent and Emirati artists

Majlis-inspired social space for live conversations and events

Women's 

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Reflecting the UAE’s commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality, the Women’s Pavilion serves as a catalyst for social transformation, both in Dubai and far beyond. By championing exceptional women, it aims to inspire dialogue, shatter gender misconceptions, and leave a lasting legacy of positive change for women worldwide.

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inspiring change

Championing women, 

Women's Pavilion 

Crafting the Future

Under the title “New Perspectives”, the Women’s World Majlis programme invites you to recognise a fundamental principle: when women thrive, humanity thrives.

The programme highlights the impact women have made on society and shines a light on their often forgotten contributions. By shifting perspectives, we embrace the infinite approaches to a more balanced world.

A common vision for a unique collaboration; sustainable development goals and aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous world cannot be achieved without gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Sharing this vision, Expo 2020 Dubai and Cartier celebrate women changemakers around the globe, asserting our conviction that innovative collaboration between the private sector, civil society and committed individuals is the pathway to meaningful change.

Women's Pavilion

When women thrive, humanity thrives. A common vision for a unique collaboration.

Women’s Pavilion Majlis

WP Logo

This show celebrates the beautiful arts and culture of the fascinating country of Vietnam. Enjoy a myriad of traditional arts and artisan products as well as Vietnamese traditional music performances in this unmissable show.

Arts Show

Vietnam Arts show

Welcome to a celebration of the beautiful arts and culture of Vietnam, showcasing traditional arts and artisan products as well as traditional music performances.


The Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre is a performance space hosting cultural performances and live music for seated crowds, located in Al Forsan Park. The venue’s design features a model of two Ghaf trees that intertwine above the centre of the stage. 

Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre

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Vietnam Image Gallery

The fog-wreathed mountains and vibrant green rice paddies of Vietnam are places of deep tradition, housing ancient temples, centuries-old villages and a wealth of unique cultural history. The Vietnam Pavilion aims to reintroduce visitors to the nation’s rich heritage and highlight its investment potential. Explore traditional folk-art performances, bamboo flute concerts and delightful water-puppet shows, take a 3D digital tour of Vietnam’s vibrant tourism destinations and discover a bounty of culture and cuisine at the pavilion’s handicraft shop and restaurant.


Vietnam

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Vietnam Pavilion

Vietnam: Arts Show

Presented by MENASA, Emirati Design Platform, this question and answer session with Dr Ricardo Devesa, Editor in Chief of ACTAR Publishers, covers the newly-launched MENASA Publication as well as its valuable contribution to design content around the world.

Following the session is a private reception at MENASA and the official MENASA Publication launch. A testament to the incredible work presented at MENASA by local artisans, designers, organisations and international collaborators under the support of Expo 2020 Dubai, the MENASA publication represents a collective effort to present contemporary design and crafts from the UAE to the world.


MENASA Publication Official Launch with Dr. Ricardo Devesa

MENASA

A question and answer session with Dr Ricardo Devesa, Editor in Chief of ACTAR Publishers, covering the newly-launched MENASA Publication as well as its valuable contribution to design content around the world.

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

EXHIBITOR Magazine's World Expo Awards

EXHIBITOR Magazine Announces World Expo Award Winners

Al Wasl Plaza

Al Wasl 

Al Wasl Plaza Images

Expo 2020 Dubai, the first Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region in the 170 years of World Expo history, opened with a celebration of global togetherness and optimism. Spectacular storytelling, performances, fireworks, and immersive projections on the dome of Al Wasl, the heart of Expo 2020, all told a story of collaboration and hope for the future, echoing Expo 2020 Dubai's theme of "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future". Global artists joining in the celebration included Andrea Bocelli, Ellie Goulding, Lang Lang and Mohammed Abdu.

Description 

The first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, Expo 2020 opened with a celebration of global connection and hope for the future.

Expo 2020 Dubai Opening Ceremony

Long ago, travellers referred to Dubai as Al Wasl, or “the connection” – a name that reflects the area’s heritage as a meeting point. This spirit of coming together takes shape in Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020’s spectacular centrepiece and gathering ground for celebration and wonder. 

Situated at the meeting point of Expo’s three thematic districts, Al Wasl Plaza's dome is tall enough to fit the Leaning Tower of Pisa beneath it. By night, she transforms into a 360-degree projection screen, blanketed by more than 250 state-of-the-art projectors. Al Wasl Plaza is a hub for visitors and the vibrant heart of our Expo.

Daily performances, national day ceremonies and more

Immersive 360-degree domed projection screen

Lush garden spaces for relaxation and connection

Al Wasl features

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Al Wasl Plaza 360

Al Wasl Plaza is 130 metres in diameter and more than 67 metres tall. Delicate-looking despite its titanic scale, her pattern is inspired by our Expo's logo, which is fully visible at the oculus.

and magical

Extraordinary

The life force of the Expo 2020 site, Al Wasl Plaza proudly carries the old name of Dubai.

The beating heart of Expo 2020

A series of immersive 360° videos of Al Wasl's projection shows that put you centre stage for each stunning performance. 