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

Russia National Day Ceremony

Russia

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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.

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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.

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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

His Excellency Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation speaks during Russia National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m17041

Dmitry Malikov during the Russia National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m16724

Dmitry Malikov & Orchestra perform during Russia National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m16579

Dmitry Malikov & Orchestra perform during Russia National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m16580

Dmitry Malikov & Orchestra perform during Russia National Day Ceremony at Al Wasl m16587

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

Russia Flag

A perfect complement to Expo’s Mobility District, the colourful, whirled design of the Russia Pavilion suggests a planet in swift motion – much like the hyperconnected one on which we all live.

Inside the pavilion’s spherical shell, a wide range of exhibits will take you on a high-velocity tour of the future of human thought, exploring how we can connect, collaborate and build mutual understanding across the globe. Come experience the possibilities of tomorrow – and sample some mouth-watering Russian cuisine.


The towering, 27-metre-high structure of the Russia Pavilion is composed of a huge sphere supported instead by two large columns, one on either side. A wide, shaded courtyard nestles between them, below the main structure. 

The building gains the appearance of speed from its vibrant exterior décor: narrow bands of bright, rainbow colour, which wrap in great loops around the pavilion, suggesting a blur of motion. A raised circle reminiscent of Saturn’s rings sticks out from the centre of the sphere, completing the planetary motif. 


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A planet 

Russia Pavilion

Russia National Day

Russia National Day Ceremony 

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 Canada's National Day at Expo 2020

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Canada

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Canada Carousel

From its people to its sweeping terrain, Canada is a nation of astounding diversity. With its circular design based on the drum, an instrument found across all the world’s cultures, the Canada Pavilion at Expo 2020 celebrates the unity of its diverse inhabitants, as well as their bright shared future.

From outside, the pavilion impresses with its encircling wooden lattice, which evokes Canada’s natural landscapes while paying homage to the geometry of Islamic mashrabiya screens. But the wonder truly begins within, as an immersive theatre experience takes you on a stirring tour of Canada’s land, peoples and technological innovations.


Novel exhibits featuring interactive shafts of light

Celebration of Canada’s diverse people and landscapes

Canada Features

Canada Logo

The Canada Pavilion evokes the shape of a drum for its commanding, elegant Expo pavilion. Hundreds of pieces of Canadian lumber form a round lattice of diamond-like shapes that pays homage to the captivating geometry of Arabic mashrabiya screens. The massive disc seems to hover weightless over the pavilion’s central core, which is also decorated with wood.

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of unity

A universal symbol 

Canada Pavilion

Canada National Day

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

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The Spain Pavilion at Expo 2020 is an open, eco-friendly exhibition that seamlessly blends ancient heritage and cutting-edge innovation.

An airy ground floor features several small, naturally cooled plazas that are ideal for relaxing or snacking on tapas. Venture underground into aroomy basement, and you’ll explore a “forest of the future” filled with thought-provoking exhibits on Spain’s contributions to global sustainability.


Spain logo

Inspired by Spain’s age-old links to the Arab world, the Spain Pavilion takes the shape of a lively field of sheer, conical towers in hues of brick, orange, and saffron yellow. Visitors venture under this vast canopy of peaks, built from reusable materials including wood, iron and fabric, to explore a series of breezy plazas. The underside of each airy dome is decorated with unique textures that reflect their exhibits: swirls of woven straw, a green canopy of plants, falls of digital water, and more. One dome also shelters a tasty tapas restaurant.

Russia National Day Ceremony

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Russia National Day.