Watch as astronaut Thomas Pesquet and Ambassador of the France Pavilion is projected on Al Wasl's dome, joining Expo live from the International Space Station (ISS) in celebration of France National Day.

Description

France National Day ISS Call

Join us in celebrating France National Day at Expo 2020.

France

Centuries ago, Paris earned the nickname “City of Light” for its early adoption of street lighting, which lit the way for great leaps in human development. With the France Pavilion, the nation brings this same concept to Expo 2020 in quintessentially French style, offering a collection of luminous spaces that explore how light enables human progress.
From the illuminated surfaces on the pavilion’s exterior to the glowing dreamscapes and lighthouse within, you’ll bask in an array of radiant exhibits, with a special emphasis on French mobility. Best of all, the photovoltaic tiles on the pavilion’s outer façade mean it’s all powered sustainably.

At first glance, the France Pavilion simply looks like a linked complex of grey, squared structures - a massive upside-down “L” shape hanging in space over a central plaza. And then, the lights blaze on: more than 2,000 square metres of illuminated surfaces cover almost the entire façade of the pavilion, from ceilings to walls.

of light

Pavilion 

France Pavilion

France National Day

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Image gallery

France Logo

Image gallery 

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France: Space Station Call

Gaze upward as Al Wasl Plaza's canvas transforms into a giant observatory then releases you on an epic adventure through the cosmic heavens above.

Cosmos

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

EXHIBITOR Magazine's World Expo Awards

EXHIBITOR Magazine Announces World Expo Award Winners

Al Wasl Plaza

Al Wasl 

Al Wasl Plaza Images

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 

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.

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.

Daily performances, national day ceremonies and more

Immersive 360-degree domed projection screen

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. 

Al Wasl Plaza 360° Immersive Experiences

The Beating Heart of Expo 2020

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Image Gallery

Cosmos: Al Wasl Plaza (Oct 9th)

This Future Explorers episode takes you on a space journey at Expo 2020. We explore the Mobility Pavilion, taste delicious space snacks, and hear from astronauts about their experience among the stars. Photosensitivity warning: Some areas in Live@Expo broadcasts may feature bright flashing effects that may affect photosensitive viewers.

 Ep 9: Astronauts at Al Wasl, Bulgaria and Alif - The Mobility Pavilion

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We celebrate Space Week at Expo 2020 Dubai with a journey through the out-of-this-world Mobility Pavilion. Spoiler: we will meet astronauts!

Explore the out-of-this-world Mobility Pavilion.

Join us as we sample astronaut chocolate at the Bulgaria Pavilion.

Create a Twitch account to join the chat and earn points!

Interactive, chat-driven tour co-curated by you, the audience.

Earn badges, go on treasure hunts and top the leaderboard!

Alif Pavilion

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Alif 

In today’s hyperconnected world, mobility is more important than ever – so what better way to embody this than through a visionary structure that looks ready to take flight? With its space-age contours and awe-inspiring exhibits, Alif – The Mobility Pavilion offers visitors an immersive journey through the spectrum of human movement. 

But Mobility – one of Expo’s three main subthemes – is also about moving ideas. Take the lift to the pavilion’s top floor and undertake a voyage into the often-invisible ways that mobility unites us, from the campfire of a nomadic Bedouin all the way through the ultra-connected cities of humanity’s future.


Visitors ride the world’s largest passenger lift, which can transport more than 160 people at a time. The Bedouin girl in the middle of the lift is illuminated, reaching up towards the stars, symbolising the desire to reach new heights.

The world’s largest passenger lift 

Nine-metre-tall photo-realistic giants of mobility from the golden age of Arab civilisation, including 15th Century seafarer and navigator Ibn Majid, 11th Century historian and geographer Al-Bakri, and 14th Century explorer Ibn Battuta.

The giants of early exploration

Future cities merging imagination and design are dreamed up by children and projected an immersive space that explores the limitless possibilities that lay ahead for mankind

Immersive virtual installations   

Features

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Timelapse: Alif – The Mobility Pavilion

Videos

Mobility Pavilion 360

The heart-pounding motion of speeding ideas and vehicles alike take shape in Alif – The Mobility Pavilion: a ribbed, curvy, three-sided structure wrapped in highly reflective stainless steel metal cladding, inspired by chrome fenders and aircraft wings. Alif's mirror-like surface captures movement, making the building seem alive and in motion. 

Mobility Pavilion

ready to take flight

A visionary structure 

The Mobility Pavilion 

Alif

Watch the creation of Alif - The Mobility Pavilion as it rises out of the desert sands.

Timelapse

Timelapse of Alif

Bulgaria cover

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Bulgaria Image Gallery

With lofty mountains in the west, the glistening Black Sea in the east and plenty of cosy mineral springs in between, Bulgaria boasts a wealth of stunning sights to explore. And as the Bulgaria Pavilion at Expo 2020 shows, the Balkan nation offers much more: from rich culture to high-tech innovation to winter sports. Exhibits include a (virtual) walk across the bed of the Black Sea, 3D projections of the nation’s beautiful landscapes, and traditional Bulgarian folk dances.


Bulgaria Logo

Bulgaria intro image

Bulgaria Pavilion

Live@Expo Ep 9: Astronauts at Al Wasl, Bulgaria and Alif - The Mobility Pavilion

Welcome to an interactive live tour where you and a community of virtual visitors from around the world control where the guide goes and what you see! Earn points and top the leaderboard, win badges and reveal treasures. Your points convert to Seeds of Change which you can pledge to the cause of your choice.

Live@Expo

Join a new virtual tour of the Expo! You control where the guide goes as they explore Expo 2020.

L&E logo

Enjoy a unique musical performance by Chilean pop artist Flangr, mixed with space sounds from the Orion Nebula, captured by the ALMA Observatory. 

Flangr Music Performance

Flangr

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Inside Expo: The Next Great Frontier 

Space travel and exploration has captured imaginations for generations and the dream of space tourism is now closer to being a reality than ever. At the same time, with outer space remaining one of our few truly shared resources, peacefully managing this distant realm remains crucial. During this fascinating week, we highlight the latest innovations in space research and travel, while also providing a platform to discuss critical issues.

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How do we safely and productively explore new frontiers?

Insight Report from Space Week

Space Week

Space Theme Week Video

Chile Pavilion

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Chile Carousel

Chile is a country of contrasts, from the nearly rainless Atacama Desert to the fertile farmlands that make the nation one of the world’s leading food exporters. At the Chile Pavilion, get a delicious taste of its agricultural bounty while exploring the country’s diverse peoples and landscapes. With a design inspired by traditional Chilean architecture, the pavilion offers a market-style retail area, as well as an alley of high-definition screens that showcase Chile’s natural wonders, sustainable tourism destinations and more. Venture deeper inside to find the sampling area, where you can taste the some of the country’s amazing produce.


The Chile pavilion modern structure, as fresh and vibrant as the gourmet selection of Chilean fruits that await inside, is embellished with wide windows and a bright white sloping roof. The patterns, colors and textures used are guided by the natural barriers that protect the country; deserts, ocean, mountains and the glaciers.

Description

Participants

France National Day.