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

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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.

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

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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

In celebration of Saudi Arabia's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, enjoy a night of Saudi Music featuring talented young singer Aedh Yousef, live from the Jubilee stage. Aedh is known best for his collaborative use of instruments, sounds, genres and vocals. His unique style is heavily influenced by his wide-ranging musical palette and interest in exploring different cultures. A night not to be missed. 

A Night of Saudi Music, featuring Aedh Yousef

Ayed Yousef

Enjoy a night of Saudi Music in celebration of the Kingdom's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, featuring the talented Saudi singer Aedh Yousef. 


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Join us in celebrating Saudi Arabia's National Day at Expo 2020

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Saudi Arabia National Day

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As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia opens itself to the world, its contribution to Expo 2020 mirrors the nation’s grand ambitions. Boasting a vast façade that covers the area of two football pitches, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion takes the form of an opening window that soars into the sky bearing messages of inspiration.

Your Saudi experience begins in the open plaza under the pavilion, where the giant screen above and LEDs below combine to create a dazzling light show. Next, the “Heritage Path” escalator will transport you to immersive exhibits – and you can end your journey with refreshments and shopping in the pavilion’s scenic palm garden.


Spectacular mirrored architectural design, dazzlingly lit on all sides

Immersive exhibition space highlighted by a multicoloured floating sphere

Palm garden featuring dining and retail options

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KSA logo

The monumental Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pavilion is a mirrored slab that extends up diagonally from the ground, resembling a giant window opening toward the sky. The immense structure soars six storeys into the air and covers more than 13,000 square metres, or the area of two football pitches. The sides of the pavilion feature a decorative motif of grey horizontal lines like layered metal, while its vast underbelly — which shades an enormous plaza — is mirrored and smooth. 


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to the sky

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Saudi Arabia Pavilion 

Saudi Arabia: A Night of Saudi Music, featuring Aedh Yousef

In celebration of Kuwait's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, enjoy a unique performance that fuses the old and the modern, showcasing Kuwait's rich musical heritage and diverse culture.

Al Wasl Plaza radiates with an operatic show performed by the soprano Amani Al Hajji, who is the first female opera singer from the Arabian Gulf. She sings Italian, Russian, German, French and English with effortless ease and has a love of Puccini's music.

The evening also features the famous Kuwait TV Folkloric Troupe, which was established in 1978 with the aim of preserving the musical heritage of Kuwait.

Amani Al Hajji and TV Band

Al Mas folkloric kuwaiti band

In celebration of Kuwait's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, enjoy an operatic show performed by the soprano Amani Al Hajji, and a traditional music performance by the Kuwait TV Folkloric Troupe.

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

Kuwait

Kuwait National Day

Kuwait Pavilion

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As a people who have thrived amid the desert’s unforgiving sands, Kuwaitis understand the importance of conserving natural resources. The Kuwait Pavilion at Expo 2020 shares this ethos with the world, focusing on all aspects of sustainability – from efficient new transport networks to futuristic smart homes.

The pavilion’s architecture references the region’s glowing sand and sun, while the towering central funnel is a nod to Kuwait City’s distinctive conical water towers. Journey inside to explore reimagined cities, interactive data banks and a one-of-a-kind “Life Spring” that offers a dazzling visualisation of Kuwait’s sustainable future.


Kuwait logo

Influenced by the iconic shapes of the nation’s water towers, sun and sand, the Kuwait Pavilion is a grand golden structure, made of countless triangles joined in a geometric design with a funnel-like canopy overhead. 

The central funnel is inspired by Kuwait City’s iconic water towers. 

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of Kuwait

Iconic shapes

Kuwait Pavilion 

Kuwait: Amani Al Hajji and the Kuwait TV Band

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 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.


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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.

Botswana: Music in the Garden

Music in the Garden

Participants

Image Gallery

Botswana National Day.