On the occassion of the United Kingdom's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, British singer-songwriter, producer and DJ, John Newman, headlines the celebrations at Al Wasl Plaza. In attendance will be His Royal Highness Prince William Duke of Cambridge and a number of VIP guests. The show is an immersive experience in the Al Wasl dome with unique surround-sound audio and a 360 visual projection on the largest screen in the world. The show also features Living The Dream dance company on stage alongside other performers including Tom Seals on the piano and the Coldstream Guards band.

Bespoke Show at Al Wasl Plaza

John Newman

In celebration of the United Kingdom's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, multi-talented artist, John Newman, headlines a spectacular 360-degree immersive show, alongside Tom Seals and the Coldstream Guards Band.

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.

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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.

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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 United Kingdom's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai 

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Inspired by British physicist Stephen Hawking, who challenged humanity to ponder how we might express ourselves to alien civilisations, the UK Pavilion invites visitors to contribute to a unique linguistic experiment. While exploring this cone-shaped structure, which showcases the UK’s contributions to space science and artificial intelligence, you can add your own words to the pavilion’s neural network. A language-generating algorithm then processes these entries into an ever-changing “poem” that will be displayed on the pavilion’s LED façade, providing an inspiring collective message to Expo 2020, our planet and maybe even worlds beyond.

The awe-inspiring UK Pavilion is an epic, 20-metre-tall, cone-shaped structure compiled of rows of horizontal timber slats that stretch forward to create a circular form. The end of each slat houses a LED panel that emits phrases that link to form an ever-changing interstellar message crafted by artificial intelligence and Expo visitors. 

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A visionary

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United Kingdom National Day

The Limitless Potential of Artificial Intelligence

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United Kingdom's National Day Bespoke Show at Al Wasl Plaza

An showcase of the most charming traditional Vietnamese arts and culture, with beautiful performances from the country’s most famous folk artists.

Charming Vietnam

Charming Vietnam Art Show

An unique showcase of the most charming traditional Vietnamese arts and culture, with beautiful performances from the country’s most famous artists.

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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.


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Vietnam Pavilion

Vietnam: Charming Viet Nam

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.

Jubilee Stage

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UmDema - Show 1

A captivating performance from the Ballet Folklórico Iberoamericano del Paraguay, a group dedicated to celebrating Paraguayan culture through the medium of dance. Celebrating 26 years of performances this year, the group performs under the direction of Superior Professor of Dances, Nancy Cristaldo.

Ballet Folklórico Iberoamericano del Paraguay

Enjoy a captivating performance from the Ballet Folklórico Iberoamericano del Paraguay, a group dedicated to celebrating Paraguayan culture through the medium of dance. 

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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Paraguay Image Gallery

One of this South American nation’s claims to fame is indeed huge: Paraguay is home to one of the world's largest dams, the Itaipú Hydroelectric Project. Itaipú’s generators supply nearly 80 per cent of Paraguay's electricity and 25 per cent of Brazil’s electricity needs. The Paraguay Pavilion details the strategic potential of water in the country when it comes to renewable energy as well as how Paraguay connects to the world via its rivers and food production. The pavilion also highlights its cultural riches, sustainable development, and fresh business opportunities.


United Kingdom's National Day Bespoke Show at Al Wasl Plaza

Bespoke Show at Al Wasl Plaza

Participants

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United Kingdom National Day.