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

Portugal National Day Ceremony

Portugal

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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.

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

Flags

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

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For centuries, Portuguese explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan sailed the world, creating new connections with Africa, India and beyond. Now at Expo 2020, the country is honouring its heritage of multiculturalism at the Portugal Pavilion, a celebration of diversity and inclusion.

The pavilion’s theme is “A World in One Country”, and you’ll see this idea reflected in its exhibits, including the dynamic digital faces that welcome you and a garden area that showcases Portugal’s biodiversity. Other attractions include tours of the country’s aerospace industry and “blue” ocean economy, as well as the best of Portuguese cuisine.


With tall sail-shaped façades that rise high into the air, the Portugal Pavilion recalls a white sailing ship cruising through Expo 2020, much as Portuguese explorers like Ferdinand Magellan, featured within, once sailed across the globe. 

The pavilion’s bottom level is open in the centre, with sturdy grey structures to either side. Resting upon these is the broad main exhibit hall, a squared-off take on the caravel, a 15th century Portuguese boat design renowned for its speed. Its four rectangular sails stand tall at various heights. 


through Expo 2020 

Cruising 

Portugal Pavilion

Portugal National Day

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Portugal Carousel

Portugal feature 1

Authentic Portuguese cuisine at the pavilion’s restaurant

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Interactive library featuring graphic panels and interactive projections 

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Wide-ranging celebration of Portugal’s diversity

Portugal Features 

Portugal logo

Portugal Intro image 

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

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Climate and Biodiversity Week to spur the world into action to protect our planet

We stand at the brink of a crucial moment in time - a moment in which we must take decisive collective action to protect our planet, and the life it sustains, for future generations. It is an opportunity for us to take our place in history as the generation that stepped up to halt climate change, and transform human activity to operate within Earth's planetary boundaries. 

Expo 2020 Dubai's Climate & Biodiversity Week convenes government decision-makers, business leaders, youth advocates and our millions of visitors to address the greatest challenge of our time and generate solutions critical to the future of our civilisation and the health of our planet. 

What's your Promise to our Planet?

Climate and Biodiversity

How do we work together to better manage climate change and protect biodiversity? 

C&B week PPP info extract

Climate & Biodiversity Week Programme

Learnings and insights from the World Majlis conversations on Climate and Biodiversity

World Majlis: Insights from Climate & Biodiversity Week

Insight Report from Climate and Biodiversity Week

Natural Resource and Biodiversity Conservation

Program for People and Planet - Empowerment Workshop 

Conservation for Hope at Climate and Biodiversity Week

Cultures in Conversation Climate Change in the Classroom Living Room Street and Beyond event at Terra the Auditorium

Eleni Giokos with Sabrin Rahman and Erik Becker at the World Green Economy Summit 2021

Panel Discussion - Climate and Biodiversity Day 2

Climate & Biodiversity Week

Expo 2020 Dubai Climate & Biodiversity Week

Water fuels our sustenance but also moves money, goods and people around the world, provides a valuable source of renewable energy, and enables the world’s food to grow. This week will help us understand how to preserve and sustainably manage this precious finite resource for infinite uses. The programme will highlight the true value of water, as well as progress and best practice in ensuring clean and adequate water for people, industry and the planet.

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 How will we protect our most precious resource today, for tomorrow?

Portugal National Day Ceremony

Portugal National Day Ceremony

Participants

Portugal National Day.