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.

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

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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stamp Bahrain

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

Gaze upwards as Al Wasl's canvas transforms. Watch as timeless human expression manifests through dance, music and calligraphy in a way you've never seen before. Each showcase will fill you with a sense of awe, wonder and curiosity of the incredible worlds around you.

Expressions

Expressions 2

Watch as timeless human expression manifests through dance, music and calligraphy in a way you have never seen before.

Expressions Projection Show at Al Wasl : The Sea

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Expressions (Oct 27th)

Expressions (Oct 10th)

Spring into movement with the flash mobs as they take the Jubilee Stage in this dashing performance.

Flow Makers

DP World: Flow Makers

Spring into movement with the flash mobs as they take the Jubilee Stage in this dashing performance.


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With a striking design inspired by fossilised sand dunes, Jubilee Stage is an open-air festival stage. Located in Jubilee Park, it hosts performances and large concerts.

Jubilee Stage

DP World - Partner Pavilion

stamp DP World

From the dredging of the Dubai Creek in the 1950s through to today’s bustling Port of Jebel Ali — the Middle East’s busiest port — Dubai has long been a hub for global cargo. At the DP World Pavilion, you’ll explore the local history and future of cargo through the theme of “Making Trade Flow”, demonstrating the many ways that the movement of goods affects our lives.

From the prototype Hyperloop Cargospeed pod outside the pavilion to the technologies featured within, visitors can tour the full panorama of global trade through real-time visualisations of worldwide cargo traffic, augmented-reality exhibits, digital games and more.


DP World

DP World Flow Pavilion 360

DP World Flow Pavilion is a stout, five-storey structure with rounded corners, which features alternating bands of glass and steel. Tall, thin slats climb up the length of the building and curve in a thin strip around its sides. Flowing lines of red, green, and white enliven this external façade.

Bahrain Bespoke Projection Tribute: Al Wasl Plaza

Celebrating Bahrain

Participants

Image Gallery

Bahrain National Day.