Celebrate Sri Lanka's National Day at Expo 2020 with this special performance that combines live percussion and wind instruments with a number of traditional Sri Lankan dances to offer visitors an insight into the nation's incredible culture. 

Music in the Garden

Sri lanka

In celebration of Sri Lanka's National Day at Expo 2020, take in a special performance of music and dance in Al Wasl Plaza's gardens.

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.

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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.

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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

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Join us in celebrating Sri Lanka's National Day at Expo 2020

Sri Lanka flag

This South Asian island was once known by the name Ceylon, and that namesake tea is still grown in plantations across Sri Lanka. Taste this fragrant, world-famous drink at the Sri Lanka Pavilion, which leads you through many of the country’s enticements, from hiking rainforest peaks to lounging on tropical beaches to trekking ancient ruins. Then learn about Sri Lankan culture and economic innovations. The eye-catching water theme was designed by students from the University of Moratuwa, using the sinuous flow of water to evoke the country’s adaptability and ability to transform challenges into opportunities.  


Sri Lanka Pavilion

Sri Lanka National Day

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Sri Lanka: Music in the Garden

Technology is considered a science of craft, it is a development of skills that are used to produce tangible and intangible goods and services. Heritage crafts are systems that are created to produce an outcome or series of products that identify a society, preserving its culture. Some Emirati crafts include Talli and Safeefah weaving, which resulted into products used in multifunctional manners. This session will focus on the future of urban design, textiles, fashion, and architecture.

Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, together with art and technology experts, developed a physical and virtual talk and workshop to showcase ways by which crafts and technology could coexist, and serve as great tools to sustaining one another and crafting the future. The session will include a series of Talli & Safeefah weaving workshops, led by Irthi, using tablet technology.

Join the event, and interact via https://zoom.us/j/93850568121

Panel Discussion & Workshop: Crafting the Future

Irthi: Crafting the Future

Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council presents an integrated talk and workshop session to discuss ways in which crafts and technology could coexist. Co-curated by NAMA Women Advancement.

Inside Expo: The Brave Women

Women's Pavilion - Audio Guide

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Women's Pavilion Image gallery

Women make tremendous contributions to the world, yet many remain unknown or forgotten. The Women’s Pavilion in collaboration with Cartier at Expo 2020 challenges this imbalance by taking visitors on a journey through the remarkable achievements of women across the globe. Our showcase underscores the principle that “When women thrive, all of humanity thrives”.

The pavilion showcases the exceptional accomplishments of women, world-famous and unknown. Immerse yourself in the triumphs of women through history, discover the journeys women have taken to claim their equality and dive into the stories of the inspirational women shaping our future.


Globe-spanning tour of women’s achievements and ongoing challenges

Multisensory exhibition created by actor/artist Mélanie Laurent and Emirati artists

Majlis-inspired social space for live conversations and events

Women's 

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Reflecting the UAE’s commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality, the Women’s Pavilion serves as a catalyst for social transformation, both in Dubai and far beyond. By championing exceptional women, it aims to inspire dialogue, shatter gender misconceptions, and leave a lasting legacy of positive change for women worldwide.

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inspiring change

Championing women, 

Women's Pavilion 

Crafting the Future

Under the title “New Perspectives”, the Women’s World Majlis programme invites you to recognise a fundamental principle: when women thrive, humanity thrives.

The programme highlights the impact women have made on society and shines a light on their often forgotten contributions. By shifting perspectives, we embrace the infinite approaches to a more balanced world.

A common vision for a unique collaboration; sustainable development goals and aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous world cannot be achieved without gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Sharing this vision, Expo 2020 Dubai and Cartier celebrate women changemakers around the globe, asserting our conviction that innovative collaboration between the private sector, civil society and committed individuals is the pathway to meaningful change.

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Women's Pavilion

When women thrive, humanity thrives. A common vision for a unique collaboration.

Women’s Pavilion Majlis

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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.

Umdema is one of the folk arts that is originally from Africa, performed on occasions and weddings. The group circle the drummers, and one of the performers dance in the middle while they continue to tag each other to dance. Watch UmDema, live on the Jubilee stage at Expo 2020 Dubai. 

UmDema

Watch UmDema, a traditional folklore dance performed on occasions and weddings. The group circle the drummers, and one of the performers dance in the middle and tag other dancers in and out.

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With a striking design inspired by fossilised sand dunes, Jubilee Stage is an open-air festival stage. Located in Jubilee Park, it hosts performances and large concerts.

Sri Lanka: Music in the Garden

Music in the Garden

Participants

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Sri Lanka National Day.