In celebration of Kuwait's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, enjoy a unique performance that fuses the old and the modern, showcasing Kuwait's rich musical heritage and diverse culture.

Al Wasl Plaza radiates with an operatic show performed by the soprano Amani Al Hajji, who is the first female opera singer from the Arabian Gulf. She sings Italian, Russian, German, French and English with effortless ease and has a love of Puccini's music.

The evening also features the famous Kuwait TV Folkloric Troupe, which was established in 1978 with the aim of preserving the musical heritage of Kuwait.

Amani Al Hajji and TV Band

Al Mas folkloric kuwaiti band

In celebration of Kuwait's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, enjoy an operatic show performed by the soprano Amani Al Hajji, and a traditional music performance by the Kuwait TV Folkloric Troupe.

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.

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

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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 Kuwait's National Day at Expo 2020

Kuwait

As a people who have thrived amid the desert’s unforgiving sands, Kuwaitis understand the importance of conserving natural resources. The Kuwait Pavilion at Expo 2020 shares this ethos with the world, focusing on all aspects of sustainability – from efficient new transport networks to futuristic smart homes.

The pavilion’s architecture references the region’s glowing sand and sun, while the towering central funnel is a nod to Kuwait City’s distinctive conical water towers. Journey inside to explore reimagined cities, interactive data banks and a one-of-a-kind “Life Spring” that offers a dazzling visualisation of Kuwait’s sustainable future.


Influenced by the iconic shapes of the nation’s water towers, sun and sand, the Kuwait Pavilion is a grand golden structure, made of countless triangles joined in a geometric design with a funnel-like canopy overhead. 

of Kuwait

Iconic shapes

Kuwait Pavilion 

Kuwait National Day

Kuwait Pavilion

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Kuwait logo

The central funnel is inspired by Kuwait City’s iconic water towers. 

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Kuwait: Amani Al Hajji and the Kuwait TV Band

In celebration of Vietnam's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, Vietnam Pavilion will stage a grand fashion show with more than 100 Vietnamese and international models, musicians, and circus performers. Be inspired by the best of Vietnamese beauty and art at Al Wasl Plaza. The Eternal Flow show will be followed by a 3D projection show depicting the story of Âu Cơ and Lạc Long Quân and the mythical origin of the Vietnamese people. A show not to be missed.

The Eternal Flow Fashion Show

Charming Vietnam Art Show

A grand fashion show with more than a hundred Vietnamese and international models, musicians, and circus performers celebrating Vietnam's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai.

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

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Vietnam National Day

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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

Interior of the Vietnam Pavilion Web Image m12377

Vietnam Pavilion

Vietnam: The Eternal Flow Fashion Show

MENASA, an Emirati Design Platform presented by Expo 2020 Dubai, aims to spark a new appreciation for Emirati crafts as contemporary and living expressions of Emirati cultural identity. By merging artisanal skills with innovation and technology, MENASA aims to cultivate a creative dialogue between designers and artisans from the UAE and around the world. Craft Stories is a series of seven unique curated design collaborations telling stories of today's UAE through a selection of its crafts and traditions. Merging the skills and rich heritage of Emirati artisans together with contemporary creativity and innovation in techniques and materials, each story is a multi-layered journey that reflects many facets of the UAE, its landscape, people, traditions, values and identity. Technology and Crafts: Interpretation of Crafts Through Technology will introduce one of the main craft story collections showcased at MENASA, the TEN to ONE capsule collection by Iwan Maktabi, Edouard Cabay and House of Artisans: a bespoke rug collection made from a sustainable material that is painted by Robot through AI.

Technology and Crafts: Interpretation of Crafts Through Technology

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A panel discussion organised by the Emirati design platform MENASA, in which distinguished designers from around the world contribute to engaging dialogue around the craft stories showcased at MENASA.

Carmelo Zappulla (C), Founder and Executive Director External Reference, Edouard Cabay (R), Architect and Founder and Principal of Appareil and Salama Al Shamsi (L), Director of Qasr Al Hosn during the Technology and Crafts Interpretation o

Mohamed Maktabi (L2), Co-founder and CEO of Iwan Maktabi, Carmelo Zappulla (R2), Founder and Executive Director External Reference, Edouard Cabay (R1), Architect and Founder and Principal of Appareil and Salama Al Shamsi (R3), Director of Qa (1)

Mohamed Maktabi (L2), Co-founder and CEO of Iwan Maktabi, Carmelo Zappulla (R2), Founder and Executive Director External Reference, Edouard Cabay (R1), Architect and Founder and Principal of Appareil and Salama Al Shamsi (R3), Director of Qa

Mohamed Maktabi, Co-founder and CEO of Iwan Maktabi during the Technology and Crafts Interpretation of Crafts through Technology at 2020 Club by Emaar m41102

Kuwait: Amani Al Hajji and the Kuwait TV Band

Amani Al Hajji and TV Band

Participants

Kuwait National Day.