An indigenous dance troupe performance in celebration of Australia's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Australia: Bespoke Show

Australia

Inside Expo_New

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

Exhibitor logo

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Al Wasl Plaza

Al Wasl 

Notice the Expo logo at the centre of Al Wasl Plaza's oculus.

Al Wasl Dome 3

Experience a towering structure under which the Leaning Tower of Pisa could fit.

Al Wasl 4

Al Wasl Plaza Images

The Opening Ceremony: A Story of Hope

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 

General view of Al Wasl Plaza 

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.

Jaw-dropping immersive projections beginning with the fiery birth of our planet.

A celebration of the majesty of nature, both underwater and on land.

Incredible local and international performers.

Image Gallery

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.

UAE flag

Daily performances, national day ceremonies and more

Al Wasl Dome Projections

Immersive 360-degree domed projection screen

Al Wasl exterior

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. 

DUBAI, 12 October 2021. Underwater Harmony performance at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Christopher Pike/Expo 2020 Dubai)


Underwater Harmony performance at Al Wasl

Al Wasl Plaza 360° Immersive Experiences

The Beating Heart of Expo 2020

The Beating Heart of Expo

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Join us in celebrating Australia's National Day at Expo 2020

Capped by a digitally enhanced “cumulus cloud” that provides shade in the daytime and a canvas for dazzling light displays at night, the Australia Pavilion is a vibrant showcase for the kind of imagination Australians like to call “Blue Sky Dreaming”.

Inside and out, the focus here is on Australian innovation. From the ancient astronomy of the Aboriginal peoples, which you can learn about through an immersive projection show on the pavilion’s interior dome, to the sustainably produced timber that forms the pavilion’s hill-shaped exterior, there’s no shortage of blue-sky ideas here to explore.


With a crescent-shaped first level that resembles dusty hills and a cloud-like shade structure hanging overhead, the Australia Pavilion is designed to evoke a dramatic Outback landscape. 

Outback landscape

A dramatic

Australia Pavilion

Australia National Day

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Delivered by Australian organisation, Indigital, this workshop focuses on teaching digital skills through a cultural lens. It equips teachers to merge digital and cultural training for increased levels of student engagement and better learning outcomes.

Teaching Digital Skills Through a Cultural Lens

Indigital Schools Workshop

This workshop focuses on teaching digital skills through a cultural lens. It equips teachers to merge digital and cultural training for increased levels of student engagement and better learning outcomes.

Inside Expo: Sustainability I: The World’s Oldest Innovator

Inside Expo: Sustainability II: Harnessing the Sun

The Powerhouse Pavilions

Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion - Audio Guide

Terra

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Terra - Carousel

At Expo 2020, sustainability is an urgent, attainable reality, and Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion is the proof. Both immersive exhibition space and exemplar of environmental self-sufficiency, Terra is a pioneering piece of architecture that pushes the limits of renewable design.

The pavilion’s 130-metre-wide solar canopy – so vast that you could park 10 city buses head-to-tail atop it – converts sunshine into electricity for the exhibits below. Artfully funnelled natural light and local plant species, together with technologies that can reduce water consumption by 75 per cent, show the way to a sustainable future.


Inspiring experiential journey through our shared sustainable future

Two immersive paths to choose from: beneath a forest and beneath an ocean

LEED Platinum environmental features, including solar power and water recycling

Terra 

terra

Videos

Terra is a super-sized marvel of forward-thinking design. The pavilion’s technology generates enough energy in a year to power a Nissan Leaf to drive halfway to Mars, while another system captures moisture from the air you breathe and turns it into drinkable water. Enter and take a fantastical journey through the wonders of nature, humanity’s challenges and the promise of our shared future. 


terra 

of harmonious living

A model

The Sustainability Pavilion

Terra is home to five thought-provoking art installations from artists around the world, with each piece demonstrating a response to the issue of sustainability.

Terra Art Installations

Young visitors can explore a fantastical world inspired by Terra's very own octopus, Octavia.

Octavia's Playground

Timelapse of Terra 

Indigital Schools Workshop: teaching digital skills through a cultural lens

Let's take a field day and get active featuring some very special guests! Earn points and top the leaderboard, win badges and reveal treasures. Your points convert to Seeds of Change which you can pledge to the cause of your choice. Enjoy watching the show and create a Twitch account to join the chat and earn points! Photosensitivity warning: some locations in Live@Expo broadcasts may feature bright flashing lights that may affect photosensitive viewers.

Ep 14: Australia and Jamaica Pavilions and the Harlem Globetrotters

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We celebrate the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2021 (30x30) by visiting Expo 2020 locations that inspire us to get moving!

Join the Dubai Fitness Challenge and get active!

Discover Usain Bolt, Bob Marley and other sports and music stars at the Jamaica Pavilion.

Experience incredible immersive moments in the Australia Pavilion.

Use your Facebook, YouTube, Tik Tok or Twitch account to join the chat and earn points!

Interactive, chat-driven tour co-curated by you, the audience.

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In Jamaica, it’s not only the country’s legendary reggae beats that get things moving: the country’s bustling ports shift plenty of global cargo as well. The Jamaica Pavilion brings you the best of both, throwing a musical street party amid colourful shipping containers to tell the story of how the island nation’s rhythms connect and move the world.

You’ll feel island vibes as soon as you enter the pavilion, thanks to its lively sound system and vivid graffiti art – but there’s plenty to learn here as well. Explore Jamaican history and culture, be inspired by its accomplishments in sport and take in views of the island’s gorgeous beaches.


Jamaica

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Jamaica Pavilion

Live@Expo Ep 14: Australia and Jamaica Pavilions, and the Harlem Globetrotters

Welcome to an interactive live tour where you and a community of virtual visitors from around the world control where the guide goes and what you see! Earn points and top the leaderboard, win badges and reveal treasures. Your points convert to Seeds of Change which you can pledge to the cause of your choice.

Live@Expo

Join a new virtual tour of the Expo! You control where the guide goes as they explore Expo 2020.

Australia: Bespoke Show

Australia: Bespoke Show

Participants

Image Gallery

Australia National Day.