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

Ireland National Day Ceremony

Ireland

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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.

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.

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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

Cultural performance during the Ireland National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m64281

Cultural performance during the Ireland National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m64284

Cultural performance during the Ireland National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m64288

Cultural performance during the Ireland National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m64301

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

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Newgrange monument in Ireland is a staggering feat of Stone Age engineering, allowing sunlight into its inner chamber only once each year: at sunrise on the winter solstice. The Ireland Pavilion highlights more than 5,000 years of Irish heritage and know-how with a design inspired by this cultural treasure. Curated around the theme of “Thinking Ireland”, the pavilion’s exhibits trace the long lineage of Irish innovation, from ancient stone-working feats to modern-day advancements in science and technology. Don’t miss the exhibition’s innovative light-filtering cone, built in homage to its 5,200-year-old ancestor at Newgrange.

Blending neo-classical architecture with ancient themes, the Ireland Pavilion consists of two single-story buildings surrounded by a screen of white columns and topped by a massive ridged funnel structure. The bronze-coloured main building, called the Oculus, is rectangular in form and features inscribed Celtic designs.

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Inspired by

Ireland Pavilion

Ireland National Day

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Ireland Flag

Knowledge drives our global community to innovate for a better future, be it advances in medicine, sustainability, technology and more. Our planet’s rich diversity brings forward the importance of creating, storing and transferring knowledge which spans across geographies, cultures and generations. 
During this Theme Week, Expo will present and celebrate the knowledge, culture and heritage of all our participating nations, bringing them together under the UAE’s Golden Jubilee theme of Human Solidarity. Topics of discussion will include intangible and tangible heritage, creative industries, and knowledge economies, among other things. 


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How do we harness and challenge our knowledge today to prepare for the future?

Skills Development and Vocational Training

Informal and Traditional Knowledge Systems

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Dubai Cares Image Gallery

Dubai values education as the key to helping its youngest citizens take charge of the future. Expo 2020’s host city extends that mission across the globe with Dubai Cares, a dynamic philanthropic organisation that helps children in developing countries access quality learning opportunities. At the Dubai Cares Pavilion, learn about the transformative power of education and the unique challenges facing future generations through a series of playful, immersive activities designed to engage the whole family. Sit in a futuristic learning pod, take photos in a comics-inspired exhibit and find out how you can help grow the Dubai Cares movement.

Dubai Cares

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Dubai Cares Pavilion

Knowledge & Learning Week

Join us in celebrating Afghanistan's National Day at Expo

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Afghanistan Carousel

Travel back in time to a Silk Road market filled with Afghan carpets, lapis lazuli, and the rich scent of saffron at the Afghanistan Pavilion, which surrounds you with the colourful sights, smells, and tastes of an ancient city bazaar. Proud of their deep cultural heritage, the Afghan people share tales of hope and cooperation at their Expo showcase, where you can take a vivid multimedia trip through the country’s history, then learn how today’s Afghan youth are turning small opportunities into big ideas to benefit all.


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Afghanistan Pavilion

Afghanistan National Day

Join us in celebrating Netherlands' National Day at Expo

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Netherlands Pavilion

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The Netherlands Pavilion’s eco-friendly exterior of reclaimed iron might remind you of the past, but this place belongs to the sustainable future. In the middle of the arid Dubai desert, the pavilion uses innovative engineering to create a “closed-loop” biotope, producing its own energy, water and even food. A towering 17-metre-tall central cone provides an impressive focal point, upon which edible greens such as cress and sprouts are grown. Within the pavilion is a unique multi-sensory show that highlights the closed-loop farm’s wonders, from the water harvested from thin air to the mushrooms grown on the walls.

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Innovative and sustainable, the Netherlands Pavilion not only sourced its construction materials locally in the UAE, but functions as a “closed-loop” biotope that produces its own energy, water, and even food. 

Shaped like an enormous theatre stage, the sides and back of the pavilion are built from orange-red reclaimed metal beams that form a wavy accordion-like pattern inside and out. The roof is constructed from huge metal tubes bound together into panels. 


Ireland National Day Ceremony

Ireland National Day Ceremony

Participants

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Ireland National Day.