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.

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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.

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.

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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

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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: Music in the Garden

Be enthralled by the music of La China Sonidera, a musical group hailing from Oaxaca, at the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre. The diverse musical backgrounds of its members have shaped the band's sound: a unique rhythm that combines elements of funk, son jarocho, jazz and ranchero rock, guaranteed to get you dancing! 

La China Sonidera Concert

La China Sonidera

Prepare to be captivated by one of Oaxaca's most popular and beloved bands, La China Sonidera, who perform at the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre.

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Every winter, millions of migrating black and orange Monarch butterflies set the forests of Central Mexico ablaze with colour. The Mexico Pavilion takes this graceful creature and a rainbow of iconic Mexican flowers, as inspiration for a symbolic and vivid presentation of the country’s flourishing creativity and innovation. Explore rich multimedia displays that highlight how the act of pollination fosters exciting new growth in nature, gastronomy and business. Enjoy iconic Mexican art and performance and get a unique taste of authentic and boundary-pushing Mexican cuisine.


Mexico

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Mexico Pavilion

Mexico: La China Sonidera Concert (Dec 27th)

César Crazo and Eduardo Paniagua Ensemble, coordinated and directed by Eduardo Paniagua, come together to offer this concert on Andalusian singing. Preserved by oral tradition, they have become anonymous poems that children, women and men sing today without knowing the original authorship. A tradition kept alive from master to disciple for 700 years due to the love of Andalusian musicians for their art.

"Dreams of Al Andalus" by Eduardo Paniagua

Dreams of Al Andalus by Eduardo Paniagua

César Crazo and Eduardo Paniagua Ensemble come together to offer this concert on Andalusian singing, coordinated and directed by Eduardo Paniagua.

Creating a Cultural Renaissance

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The Spain Pavilion at Expo 2020 is an open, eco-friendly exhibition that seamlessly blends ancient heritage and cutting-edge innovation.

An airy ground floor features several small, naturally cooled plazas that are ideal for relaxing or snacking on tapas. Venture underground into aroomy basement, and you’ll explore a “forest of the future” filled with thought-provoking exhibits on Spain’s contributions to global sustainability.


Spain logo

Inspired by Spain’s age-old links to the Arab world, the Spain Pavilion takes the shape of a lively field of sheer, conical towers in hues of brick, orange, and saffron yellow. Visitors venture under this vast canopy of peaks, built from reusable materials including wood, iron and fabric, to explore a series of breezy plazas. The underside of each airy dome is decorated with unique textures that reflect their exhibits: swirls of woven straw, a green canopy of plants, falls of digital water, and more. One dome also shelters a tasty tapas restaurant.

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domes 

Breezy 

Spain Pavilion 

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Spain: "Dreams of Al Andalus" by Eduardo Paniagua 

This show celebrates the beautiful arts and culture of the fascinating country of Vietnam. Enjoy a myriad of traditional arts and artisan products as well as Vietnamese traditional music performances in this unmissable show.

Arts Show

Vietnam Arts show

Welcome to a celebration of the beautiful arts and culture of Vietnam, showcasing traditional arts and artisan products as well as traditional music performances.


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

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Vietnam Image Gallery

The fog-wreathed mountains and vibrant green rice paddies of Vietnam are places of deep tradition, housing ancient temples, centuries-old villages and a wealth of unique cultural history. The Vietnam Pavilion aims to reintroduce visitors to the nation’s rich heritage and highlight its investment potential. Explore traditional folk-art performances, bamboo flute concerts and delightful water-puppet shows, take a 3D digital tour of Vietnam’s vibrant tourism destinations and discover a bounty of culture and cuisine at the pavilion’s handicraft shop and restaurant.


Botswana: Music in the Garden

Music in the Garden

Participants

Image Gallery

Botswana National Day.