A tribute to Muhammed Iqbal, the National Poet of Pakistan, also known as the ‘Poet of the East’. The Pakistan Pavilion celebrates Iqbal Day with poetry and music performances as well as special guests, including Anwar Maqsood and Ahmed Jahanzeb

Iqbal Day Celebration

Pakistan

A special tribute to the Pakistani poet Muhammad Iqbal.

The Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre is a performance space hosting cultural performances and live music for seated crowds, located in Al Forsan Park. The venue’s design features a model of two Ghaf trees that intertwine above the centre of the stage. 

Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre

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Gallery

Home to four of the world’s 10 tallest mountains, Pakistan is a place where aiming for the top carries new meaning. At the alpine-looking Pakistan Pavilion, you’ll get a one-of-a-kind tour of the nation’s towering “peaks of progress” in sustainability, sport, science and much more.

Immersive exhibitions await in the pavilion’s wings - five wings, honouring Pakistan’s provinces. Whether it’s exploring the nation’s recent planting of one billion new trees, plucking textile threads to create symphonies of traditional Pakistani music or learning about the World Cup footballs (made in Pakistan since 1970), the pavilion has many unique experiences.


Pakistan logo

The Pakistan pavilion's five gently rounded, summit-like structures of varying heights are arranged in a U-shape around a recessed courtyard. Each slope-topped peak, which represents one of Pakistan’s five provinces, is textured with a cross-hatch design of reflective metal plating with a rainbow-like sheen. 

Interior view of the Pakistan Pavilion Web Image m3373

 into Pakistan

A metaphoric window

Pakistan Pavilion 

Pakistan: Iqbal Day Celebration

Presented by MENASA, Emirati Design Platform, this question and answer session with Dr Ricardo Devesa, Editor in Chief of ACTAR Publishers, covers the newly-launched MENASA Publication as well as its valuable contribution to design content around the world.

Following the session is a private reception at MENASA and the official MENASA Publication launch. A testament to the incredible work presented at MENASA by local artisans, designers, organisations and international collaborators under the support of Expo 2020 Dubai, the MENASA publication represents a collective effort to present contemporary design and crafts from the UAE to the world.


MENASA Publication Official Launch with Dr. Ricardo Devesa

MENASA

A question and answer session with Dr Ricardo Devesa, Editor in Chief of ACTAR Publishers, covering the newly-launched MENASA Publication as well as its valuable contribution to design content around the world.

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

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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

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. 

Al Wasl Plaza 360° Immersive Experiences

The Beating Heart of Expo 2020

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

Menasa

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

Salama Al Shamsi, Director of Qasr Al Hosn during the Technology and Crafts Interpretation of Crafts through Technology at 2020 Club by Emaar m41099

Image Gallery

MENASA | Technology and Crafts: Interpretation of Crafts Through Technology

Founded by Indian singer and composer Kailash Kher, fusion band Kailasa bring their Sufi and folk influenced music to the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre. Kher received the Indian government’s Padma Shri award in 2017, was nominated for several awards and won two Filmfare Awards for best playback singer, amongst others. To celebrate the Holi festival, the Indian Pavilion brings Kailash Kher and his band Kailasa to Expo 2020 Dubai.

Kailash Kher and Kailasa Live

Padmashri-Kailash-Kher

To celebrate the ancient Hindu festival of Holi, the Indian Pavilion brings fusion band Kailasa, founded by Kailash Kher, to Expo 2020 Dubai.

Padmashri Kailash Kher and Kailasa live at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m65220

Padmashri Kailash Kher and Kailasa live at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m65221

Padmashri Kailash Kher and Kailasa live at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m65224

Padmashri Kailash Kher and Kailasa live at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m65244

India 1

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India Image gallery


With its enormous population and diversity of ancient traditions, India is a place of incredible richness and complexity. The India Pavilion offers a new take on the country that goes beyond its famed culture and stunning landscapes to show a rising economic power that is very much open for business. The pavilion focuses on “New India”, an emerging global hub for innovation, inspiration and investment. Its wide variety of exhibits feature not just the food, tea and Bollywood entertainment that so many know and love, but also the country’s modern-day advancements in technology, aerospace, manufacturing and more.


India flag

The India pavilion is a four-level rectangular structure, covered on its upper three floors with rotating tiles in hues of red, orange, and white. 

This kinetic exterior surface also serves as a screen for projected images, such as the face of Mahatma Gandhi. The bottom level features a plate-glass façade. 

Iqbal Day Celebration

Participants