Enjoy a spectacular projection show from "the beating heart of Expo", in celebration of Bahrain's National Day.

Celebrating Bahrain

Al Wasl Projection (general)

Inside Expo_New

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

Exhibitor logo

EXHIBITOR Magazine's World Expo Awards

EXHIBITOR Magazine Announces World Expo Award Winners

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.

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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

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. 

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 Bahrain's National Day at Expo 2020

Bahrain Logo

When you live somewhere as densely populated as Bahrain, finding social harmony means learning to fit together, intertwining different cultures and faiths. This is the igniting idea behind the Bahrain Pavilion, which explores density through the imaginative lens of weaving. With a modern design punctuated by hundreds of needle-like silver columns, the pavilion showcases Bahraini weaving’s history through live demonstrations and exhibits. Explore traditional textile crafts, experiment with futuristic woven carbon fibre and sample flavours from Bahraini chefs. Participate in the fun yourself through stations featuring looms and palm weaving.


A colossal box with thin, lightweight metal skin mysteriously covered with small slits and silver rods towers over visitors at the Bahrain Pavilion. 

structural system 

Thin and light 

Bahrain Pavilion

Bahrain National Day

Sleek & Steely

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Bahrain Carousel

Bahrain

The Bahrain Pavilion creates images of weaving needles and the density of a traditionally woven fabric.

Bahrain Pavilion Interior

Bahrain Bespoke Projection Tribute: Al Wasl Plaza

Watch Al Wasl as it gets submerged under water. As the deep blue light washes over, the great mysteries of the ocean will come to life. Beautiful corals flowing in harmony with the smooth movement of the current, glowing creatures of the ancient ocean floor swimming just out of reach and much more.

A glowing fantasy of the ocean brought to life in Al Wasl Plaza.

Underwater Harmony

A glowing fantasy of the ocean brought to life in Al Wasl Plaza

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Harmony Underwater 

Experience thirty years of Iranian presence through memorable musical pieces sung by Iranian classical singer Salar Aghili alongside tunes by The Iranian National Orchestra.

Salar Aghili and the Iranian National Orchestra

The Iranian National Orchestra

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

Salar Aghili performs with the Iranian National Orchestra during the Iran and Italy Night of Ennio Morricone at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m44400

Salar Aghili performs with the Iranian National Orchestra during the Iran and Italy Night of Ennio Morricone at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m44409

Salar Aghili performs with the Iranian National Orchestra during the Iran and Italy Night of Ennio Morricone at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m44411

Salar Aghili performs with the Iranian National Orchestra during the Iran and Italy Night of Ennio Morricone at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m44412

Iran New 1

stamp Mibility-Iran

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Combining traditional exhibits on Iranian art and crafts with an immersive array of live audio-visual feeds, the Islamic Republic of Iran Pavilion offers a real-time look into the life of Iranian citizens. The pavilion is spread across several sleekly designed “boxes”, each offering a different perspective on the nation’s ancient culture. As you explore Iran’s production of saffron (known as “red gold” for its rarity and expense) or peruse its artisan-made carpets, curated video displays will digitally transport you to real Iranian bazaars, stunning landscapes and more.

Iran

Inspired by the many tales in the classic book One Thousand and One Nights, the Islamic Republic of Iran Pavilion is a collection of 13 box-like blue buildings of various sizes, each of them housed within a curtain of hanging, bronze-coloured balls. These curtain structures surround each building on all four sides, and they are made of long strands of clay beads that part to admit visitors.

Bahrain Bespoke Projection Tribute: Al Wasl Plaza

Celebrating Bahrain

Participants

Image Gallery

Bahrain National Day.