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.

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

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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 flag

Botswana: Music in the Garden

In celebration of Hungary's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, enjoy the Hungarian State Folk Orchestra at Al Wasl Gardens. Presenting folk music with centuries-old roots in the Carpathian Basin, the orchestra have a great repertoire and have given many highly successful concerts throughout the world. A must see!

In celebration of Hungary's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, enjoy the Hngarian State Folk Orchestra at Al Wasl Gardens.

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

Hungary flag

Hungary National Day

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There are more than 1,400 thermal springs in Hungary, in which Hungarians have soaked for health and relaxation for centuries. The Hungary Pavilion celebrates this rich tradition of thermal bathing with a deep dive into the country’s naturally steaming waters. Follow the glowing blue path to tour the hot springs’ geothermal origins, from the mystical cave bath at Miskolctapolca to the grand spas of Budapest. At the end of your journey, relax and reflect in the pavilion’s meditative inner dome, or take a sip of Hungary’s mineral and thermal waters at the Aqua Bar.

Experience an interactive journey on the theme of water without the use of water.

Meditative inner dome offering a moment of relaxation

Immersive tour of Hungary’s thermal waters and bathing culture

Hungary Features

Hungary

The Hungary pavilion is a wide, gently curved concrete cylinder featuring long, vertical planks of exposed wood. Approached from the front, two thick square columns of intricately woven wood frame the entryway and rise above the main building’s domed roof. The entrance plaza features a miniature forest of smart trees, built of the same wood and featuring digital screens and umbrella-like white roofs. In step with the organic design philosophy, these trees blend in seamlessly with the pavilion’s minimalist gardens.

Hungary 2 

with nature

Integration

Hungary Pavilion 

Hungary: Music in the Garden

Come and enjoy the music of Khumaariyan, a Pakistani band famous for playing the “Rubab” instument.  All four members of Khumariyaan eat, sleep and live music. Covering a variety of international hits such as “The Game of Thrones” theme tune as well as reviving old Pashtun music, Khumariyaan have tunes for all musical tastes.

Khumariyaan Band

Khumariyaan

Come and enjoy the music of Khumariyaan, a Pakistani band famous for playing the 'Rubab' instrument. 

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Pakistan

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Home to four of the world’s 10 tallest mountains, Pakistan is a place where aiming for the top carries new meaning. At the alpine-looking Pakistan Pavilion, you’ll get a one-of-a-kind tour of the nation’s towering “peaks of progress” in sustainability, sport, science and much more.

Immersive exhibitions await in the pavilion’s wings - five wings, honouring Pakistan’s provinces. Whether it’s exploring the nation’s recent planting of one billion new trees, plucking textile threads to create symphonies of traditional Pakistani music or learning about the World Cup footballs (made in Pakistan since 1970), the pavilion has many unique experiences.


Pakistan logo

The Pakistan pavilion's five gently rounded, summit-like structures of varying heights are arranged in a U-shape around a recessed courtyard. Each slope-topped peak, which represents one of Pakistan’s five provinces, is textured with a cross-hatch design of reflective metal plating with a rainbow-like sheen. 

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 into Pakistan

A metaphoric window

Pakistan Pavilion 

Pakistan: Khumariyaan Band

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.


Botswana: Music in the Garden

Music in the Garden

Participants

Image Gallery

Botswana National Day.