Celebrate Hungary's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai and immerse yourself in the nation's incredible culture.

Hungary National Day Ceremony

Hungary

Inside Expo_New

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

Exhibitor logo

EXHIBITOR Magazine's World Expo Awards

EXHIBITOR Magazine Announces World Expo Award Winners

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.

Al Wasl 4

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.

Image Gallery

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

Al Wasl Logo-01

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

Cultural performance during the Hungary National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m64901

Cultural performance during the Hungary National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m64902

Cultural performance during the Hungary National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m64903

Cultural performance during the Hungary National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m64905

Cultural performance during the Hungary National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m64919

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

Hungary flag

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.

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.

with nature

Integration

Hungary Pavilion 

Hungary National Day

Hungary 1

stamp Hungary

Hungary feature 1

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

Hungary feature 2

Meditative inner dome offering a moment of relaxation

Hungary 3 

Immersive tour of Hungary’s thermal waters and bathing culture

Hungary Features

Hungary 2 

From one of the leading dance houses in Hungary straight to Dubai, Kerekes will be performing ethno-funk folk music from Moldova. Their sound is based on traditional Hungarian music, re-interpreted with elements of jazz, funk and Balkan music. 

Kerekes Band

A musical treat from a well-known Hungarian group, their aim is to perform folk music from Moldova based on authenticity, but with influences from jazz, funk and Balkan music. Call it "ethno-funk."

The Kerekes Band 

Enjoy the highly-acclaimed Hungarian duo playing jazz music with a difference. Veronika Harcsa explains, “our songs have verses, bridges and refrains like a pop song, but the melodies and harmonies are rooted in jazz aesthetics and modern music.”

Harcsa Veronika and Gyemant Balint Jazz Duo

Harcsa Veronika and Gyemant Balint jazz duo

Highly-acclaimed and world-famous Hungarian jazz musicians playing music with a difference. Verses, bridges and refrains like a pop song, but melodies and harmonies rooted in jazz aesthetics and modern music.

Jazz duo Harcsa Veronika and Gyemant Balint m6248

Jazz duo Harcsa Veronika and Gyemant Balint m6249

Jazz duo Harcsa Veronika and Gyemant Balint m6251

Jazz duo Harcsa Veronika and Gyemant Balint m6252

Veronika Harcsa and Bálint Gyémánt Jazz Duo

Enjoy this multi-talented, multi-lingual singer. Internationally acclaimed Guessous Majda Mária (Meshi) is an award-winning Hungarian-Moroccan singer. She sings Hungarian, Moroccan, Indian folk, Pakistani, Turkish, and Kurd. Gypsy tunes also feature.

MESHI - Guessous Majda Mária: The Bridge

Enjoy an international musical performance by the multi-talented, multi-lingual singer, Guessous Majda Mária (Meshi).

Hungary National Day Ceremony

Hungary National Day Ceremony

Participants

Image Gallery

Hungary National Day.