Music is at the heart of Costa Rican cultural identity. Every afternoon, international artists perform live music in Al Wasl Plaza’s gardens and its surrounding areas. Today's performance commemorates the Independance Day of Costa Rica, showcasing the nation's traditional music and dances.

Music in the Garden

Join in the National Day celebrations for Costa Rica with a concert in Al Wasl Plaza’s gardens.

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.

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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.

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

Join us in celebrating Costa Rica's National Day at Expo

Costa Rica

In tropical Costa Rica, the friendly term “pura vida” (or “pure life”) can mean everything from “I’m doing great” to “no problem!” to “you’re welcome”. The Costa Rica Pavilion shows that the term is gaining an even more profound meaning as 99 per cent of Costa Rica’s power grid runs on renewable energy, reflecting the country’s dedication to a pure, sustainable way of life. Embark on a journey through Costa Rica’s pristine rainforests, and explore the country’s winning fight against deforestation and climate change.


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Embark on a journey through Costa Rica's pristine natural beauty.

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Costa Rica: Music in the Garden

An showcase of the most charming traditional Vietnamese arts and culture, with beautiful performances from the country’s most famous folk artists.

Charming Vietnam

Charming Vietnam Art Show

An unique showcase of the most charming traditional Vietnamese arts and culture, with beautiful performances from the country’s most famous artists.

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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.


Vietnam

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Vietnam Pavilion

Vietnam: Charming Viet Nam

Watch a Flamenco show based on the question 'does dance movement have a gender?' With choreographer and principal dancer of the Spanish National Ballet, this is a co-production with Sadlers Wells Theatre, Seville Flamenco Biennial, and the Flamenco Festival.

Jesús Carmona “El Salto”

A Spanish Flamenco show co-produced with Sadlers Wells Theatre, Seville Flamenco Biennial, and the Flamenco Festival.

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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.


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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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Spain Pavilion 

Spain: Jesús Carmona “El Salto” (Nov 20th)

A collaboration between gambist Fahmi Alqhai and flamenco singer Rocío Márquez, which explores the ancient roots of Flamenco as well as its evolution. The result is a captivating show that presents a global vision of Spanish dance, featuring choreographed bolero performances and a stylised dance tribute to Mario Maya, creator of the flamenco. 

Accademia del Piacere: Rediscovering Spain

Acaademia del Piacere: Rediscovering Spain

A collaboration between gambist Fahmi Alqhai and flamenco singer Rocío Márquez, which explores the ancient roots of Flamenco, as well as its evolution. 

Costa Rica: Music in the Garden

Music in the Garden

Participants

Costa Rica National Day.