Welcome to a stunning performance of the art of Azerbaijani dance. These ancient dances with fast rhythms and up-tempo drumming, are performed on holidays, weddings and other social gatherings and form part of the rich art and culture of Azerbaijan.

Dances and Rhythms

Azerbaijan: dances and rhythms

A stunning performance representing the rich art and culture of Azerbaijan through traditional dances and rhythms.

Azerbaijan feature image  

stamp Azerbaijan

Image Gallery

With a striking design that takes inspiration from the natural world and strives to protect it as well, the Azerbaijan Pavilion invites visitors on a journey to discover how each of us can pitch in to restore balance to the planet.

Outside the pavilion, a vast leaf-shaped solar roof harnesses the sun’s rays, while the stylised wooden “tree” shelters a performance stage and authentic Azerbaijani garden below. Inside, dynamic video screens on the floor will guide your path as you plant “seeds for the future”, using a unique card chosen at the pavilion’s entrance to power a variety of interactive, thought-provoking exhibits.

Azerbaijan feature image 1  

Personalised, digitally enhanced sustainability experience

Azerbaijan feature image 2

Advanced eco-features such as rainwater harvesting and a leaf-shaped solar roof

Azerbaijan feature image 3

Authentic Azerbaijani garden area and performance space

Azerbaijan Features

Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijan Pavilion’s central column takes the shape of a stylised tree trunk, with massive wooden “branches” that extend upwards to cradle its top level, as an elevated walkway hugs its base. The pavilion is sheltered by a vast, leaf-shaped canopy. 

Azerbaijan intro image  

for the future 

Sowing seeds

Azerbaijan Pavilion 

Azerbaijan: Dances and Rhythms

MENASA, an Emirati Design Platform presented by Expo 2020 Dubai, aims to spark a new appreciation for Emirati crafts as contemporary and living expressions of Emirati cultural identity. By merging artisanal skills with innovation and technology, MENASA aims to cultivate a creative dialogue between designers and artisans from the UAE and around the world. Craft Stories is a series of seven unique curated design collaborations telling stories of today's UAE through a selection of its crafts and traditions. Merging the skills and rich heritage of Emirati artisans together with contemporary creativity and innovation in techniques and materials, each story is a multi-layered journey that reflects many facets of the UAE, its landscape, people, traditions, values and identity. Technology and Crafts: Interpretation of Crafts Through Technology will introduce one of the main craft story collections showcased at MENASA, the TEN to ONE capsule collection by Iwan Maktabi, Edouard Cabay and House of Artisans: a bespoke rug collection made from a sustainable material that is painted by Robot through AI.

Technology and Crafts: Interpretation of Crafts Through Technology

Menasa

A panel discussion organised by the Emirati design platform MENASA, in which distinguished designers from around the world contribute to engaging dialogue around the craft stories showcased at MENASA.

Carmelo Zappulla (C), Founder and Executive Director External Reference, Edouard Cabay (R), Architect and Founder and Principal of Appareil and Salama Al Shamsi (L), Director of Qasr Al Hosn during the Technology and Crafts Interpretation o

Mohamed Maktabi (L2), Co-founder and CEO of Iwan Maktabi, Carmelo Zappulla (R2), Founder and Executive Director External Reference, Edouard Cabay (R1), Architect and Founder and Principal of Appareil and Salama Al Shamsi (R3), Director of Qa (1)

Mohamed Maktabi (L2), Co-founder and CEO of Iwan Maktabi, Carmelo Zappulla (R2), Founder and Executive Director External Reference, Edouard Cabay (R1), Architect and Founder and Principal of Appareil and Salama Al Shamsi (R3), Director of Qa

Mohamed Maktabi, Co-founder and CEO of Iwan Maktabi during the Technology and Crafts Interpretation of Crafts through Technology at 2020 Club by Emaar m41102

Salama Al Shamsi, Director of Qasr Al Hosn during the Technology and Crafts Interpretation of Crafts through Technology at 2020 Club by Emaar m41099

MENASA | Technology and Crafts: Interpretation of Crafts Through Technology

This enjoyable and informative craft-oriented performance is intended to offer a new perspective on Emirati handicrafts. Musically and artistically driven, it explores and explains the UAE’s craft story in a compelling piece of live entertainment.

Journey of the Thread

An enjoyable and informative craft-oriented performance to offer a new perspective on Emirati handicrafts. 

Journey of a Thread at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m16075

Journey of a Thread at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m16074

Journey of a Thread at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m16073

Journey of a Thread at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m16071

Al Meghzal: Journey of a Thread

Journey of a Thread at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m16066

Journey of a Thread at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m16067

Journey of a Thread at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m16068

Journey of the Thread (Nov 3rd)

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

Al Wasl Logo-01

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. 

Dances and Rhythms

Participants