In celebration of Botswana's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, enjoy a fusion of jazz and cultural music at Al Wasl Gardens.

Music in the Garden

Botswana Musical Ensemble

Inside Expo_New

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.

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 Botswana's National Day at Expo 2020

botwana

The African nation of Botswana shines with promise. At the Botswana Pavilion, you can follow the country’s impressive journey through the creative, colourful analogy of a plant’s growth, from the diamond mining and cattle industries that planted its seeds to the technological innovation and cultural cross-pollination that are helping the nation branch out. Explore Botswana’s vibrant fashion and art scene. Revel in the nation’s near mystical connection to the natural world, then meet the citizens that continue to keep Botswana in bloom. 


Botswana Pavilion

Botswana National Day

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Botswana flag

Botswana: Music in the Garden

Enjoy the Belarus National Day Celebration, including the State Dance Ensemble of Belarus performing "From Belarus With Love". The audience will be entertained with traditional dance and music routines showcasing national Belarusian heritage and culture.

National Day Celebration

Belarus National Day Celebration

Be entertained with traditional dance and music routines showcasing national Belarusian heritage and culture.

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State Dance Ensemble of Belarus performing From Belarus With Love at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m12697

State Dance Ensemble of Belarus performing From Belarus With Love at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m12695

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Join us in celebrating Belarus' National Day at Expo 2020

Belarus logo

Belarus National Day

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Belarus is a place where the new and old coexist – where an emerging high-tech hub thrives alongside the ancient Belovezhskaya Pushcha, one of Europe’s last remaining primeval forests. The Belarus Pavilion honours this harmony between nature and technology with its “smart forest” full of inventive exhibits to explore.

Beginning with the digital grove of stylised trees outside and continuing through the interactive tunnels and art displays within, visitors to the pavilion will journey through an ingenious Forest of Future Technology. Chat with a herd of virtual wisent (or European bison), tour a giant tree of innovation and much more.


Belarus

The Belarus Pavilion is a sleek, faceted structure, decorated with images of Belarusian trees on one broad angle, with traditional geometric patterns on another, and a towering mirrored wall on a third. In front of the pavilion are a dozen six-metre-high green “digital trees”, inspired by its ‘Forest of Future Technology’ theme.

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meets technology

Where nature

Belarus Pavilion

Belarus: National Day Celebration

Experience the colourful and dynamic panorama of folklore from all regions of Poland. This performance is delivered by one of the most recognised artistic groups in Poland and internationally – the Stanislaw Hadyna Song and Dance Ensemble “Śląsk”.

Zespol Piesni i Tanca Slask

Experience the colourful and dynamic panorama of folklore from all regions of Poland by the Stanislaw Hadyna Song and Dance Ensemble “Śląsk”.


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Poland pavilion feature image 

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Poland Carousel

The Poland Pavilion at Expo 2020 is an elegant homage to the country’s ecological wonders, with a special focus on its treasured native birds.

The forests, rivers and lakes of Poland are the breeding grounds for 25 per cent of Europe’s migratory birds, and you’ll see these fine feathered friends honoured in grand style with the pavilion’s impressive centrepiece: a kinetic sculpture suspended in the air, featuring thousands of fluttering “birds”. Fly on in for a wealth of imaginative exhibits, from immersive virtual-reality experiences to a unique “Polish Table” art installation, complete with interactive light projections.


poland

The Poland Pavilion is a three-level modular wooden structure that expands upwards, surrounded by flocks of white kinetic bird sculptures inspired by the country’s treasured winged residents. Vertical slats of exposed timber form the exterior surfaces of the main building, which resembles a stack of shipping containers arranged into an upside-down pyramid.

Poland Intro image 

by nature

Inspired

Poland Pavilion

Poland: Zespol Piesni i Tanca Slask 

Enjoy a concert that showcases the oldest and most important traditional Andalusian and Gharnati Arabic music, with performances from both the Orchestra of Fez and Nabyla Maan. The evening culminates with both acts performing together.

Voices of Andalusian Gardens

Voices-of-the-Andalusian-Gardens

Enjoy a concert that showcases the oldest and most important traditional Andalusian and Gharnati Arabic music, with performances from both the Orchestra of Fez and Nabyla Maan.

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

Orchestra of Fez and Nabyla Maan perform ‘Voices of the Andalusian Gardens’ at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m69110

Orchestra of Fez and Nabyla Maan perform ‘Voices of the Andalusian Gardens’ at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m69112

Orchestra of Fez and Nabyla Maan perform ‘Voices of the Andalusian Gardens’ at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m69118

Orchestra of Fez and Nabyla Maan perform ‘Voices of the Andalusian Gardens’ at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m69120

Orchestra of Fez and Nabyla Maan perform ‘Voices of the Andalusian Gardens’ at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m69121

Morocco Pavilion

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Gallery

For thousands of years, Morocco’s Berber people have built their traditional squared homes and villages out of mud brick, producing structures that have stood for centuries. The Morocco Pavilion at Expo 2020 advances this form in dazzling style, combining modern design and rich heritage to create a uniquely vertical journey through Morocco.

As you ascend the ramp through the pavilion, you’ll experience ancient streetscapes and cutting-edge innovations: everything from traditional Moroccan gardens to one of the world’s largest solar-energy plants, Noor-Ouarzazate. It all ends with a stunning panoramic view from the pavilion’s rooftop area.


Morocco

Traditional vertical mud-brick villages get a modernist makeover at the Morocco Pavilion. Over a dozen giant blocks formed from hundreds of earthen cubes are stacked in a loose, offset pattern to create a lively, four-storey tower that faintly glows with rusty orange warmth. 

Botswana: Music in the Garden

Music in the Garden

Participants

Image Gallery

Botswana National Day.