Celebrate Benin's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai and immerse yourself in the nation's incredible culture.

Benin National Day Ceremony

Benin

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Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

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Al Wasl Plaza

Al Wasl 

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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

Cultural performance during the Benin National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m56576

Cultural performance during the Benin National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m56577

Cultural performance during the Benin National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m56586

Cultural performance during the Benin National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m56598

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

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The Dahomey Amazons, an 18th century all-female fighting force that inspired the movie Black Panther, once protected kings in what is now modern-day Benin. The West African nation honours their legacy in its Expo 2020 pavilion and shares how the Amazons’ spirit lives on in the women of Benin today. Become part of the action as you explore Beninese history through female-made art and film. Cheer on the country’s “Nana Benz” female entrepreneurs who turned traditional crafts and skills into business empires, then find out how Benin’s sustainable tourism economy seeks to preserve the ultimate female spirit, Mother Nature. 


Benin Pavilion

Benin National Day

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Access to safe and affordable living conditions is a fundamental right. More than 70 per cent of the world’s population is forecasted to live in cities by 2050 and over one billion are already living in informal communities. As the demand for both cities and communities escalate, Expo will bring together experts, citizens, and governments to re-think the way in which habitats are designed and managed. From innovative transport, sustainable housing and green public spaces to renewable energy and circular economies, living spaces of the future will be imagined as resilient, sustainable and inclusive.  

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 How do we live and grow in harmony with our planet?

Learnings and insights from the World Majlis conversations on Urban and Rural Development

Insight Report from Urban and Rural Development Week

Learnings and insights from the World Majlis conversations on Urban and Rural Development


Insight Report from Urban & Rural Development Week

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Creating a blueprint for future smart cities

Siemens Website

Siemens is a global technology powerhouse that unites the digital and 
physical worlds to benefit society through its focus on smart infrastructure, digital industries, and intelligent mobility solutions. As Expo 2020 Dubai’s Premier Partner for Infrastructure Digitalisation, Siemens is reshaping the future of urban living by creating a blueprint for the smart cities of the future. By integrating its technology, the company is helping to create history’s most digitalised, sustainable and secure Expo. Siemens is also an anchor tenant at District 2020, the future city that will live on as a legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Creating a blueprint for smarter cities

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Siemens 

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UN Habitat

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Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

Urban & Rural Development Week

Water fuels our sustenance but also moves money, goods and people around the world, provides a valuable source of renewable energy, and enables the world’s food to grow. This week will help us understand how to preserve and sustainably manage this precious finite resource for infinite uses. The programme will highlight the true value of water, as well as progress and best practice in ensuring clean and adequate water for people, industry and the planet.

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 How will we protect our most precious resource today, for tomorrow?

Water Week 

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

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For centuries, the indigenous Yanomami people of Venezuela’s Amazon rainforest have dwelled in grand, ring-like communal huts called shabonos. With its colourful shabono-inspired circular architecture and luminous central skylight, the Venezuela Pavilion brings the nation’s timeless collaborative spirit to Expo 2020. The pavilion’s exhibits focus on Venezuela’s greatest resources: its people and natural splendour. Explore the country’s rich folklore and craftsmanship, discover its incredible sand-to-snow ecological diversity and unwind with fresh coffee and chocolate at the pavilion’s restaurant and tasting room.


Venezuela logo

Bright and cheery, the Venezuela Pavilion is a large cube, decorated with white vertical slats that cover all four faces of the building. A second layer of shorter vertical slats form a wide, wave-like band across the middle of each wall, coloured in a shifting rainbow that represents the tones of Venezuelan nature as well as its national flag.

Benin National Day Ceremony

Benin National Day Ceremony

Participants

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Benin National Day.