The opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai will kick off on September 30 at Al Wasl Plaza in the heart of the international event site, featuring a constellation of artistic and musical stars from the UAE and around the world. The concert, which will showcase a carefully selected artistic elite to embody the diversity of talents in the region, will be broadcast worldwide. It will be headlined by Arab artist Mohammed Abdu, Arab singer and Emirati artist Ahlam, and artist Hussain Al Jassmi, Expo 2020 Dubai’s ambassador and one of the most prominent singers in the Gulf and the Arab world, along with rising Emirati star Almas, and Lebanese-American singer Mayssa Karaa, who has previously been nominated for a Grammy Award.
The list of international stars participating in the ceremony includes renowned opera singer Andrea Bocelli, British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding, famous Chinese pianist Lang Lang, Grammy Award-winning artist Angélique Kidjo, and Golden Globe-winning actress and singer-songwriter Andra Day. The opening ceremony is inspired by the theme of Expo 2020 Dubai, "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future," and will take audiences on a stunning journey showcasing the themes of the international event (opportunity, mobility, sustainability) while highlighting the solid Emirati values, the vision, and the goals of Expo 2020 Dubai, welcoming the participation of 192 countries in this exceptional international event.
The CEO of entertainment activities and events for Expo 2020 Dubai, Tarek Ghosha, stated: "As the world's eyes turn to the UAE, we will celebrate that unforgettable evening with the launch of Expo 2020 Dubai and the spirit of optimism and cooperation that this international event embodies in bringing the world together; we will affirm our commitment to hosting an extraordinary edition of the World Expo that dazzles and inspires the world towards a better future for all."
The ceremony will gather a constellation of the brightest stars in the artistic field and feature live entertainment performances using the latest global technologies at Al Wasl Plaza, the crown jewel of the Expo 2020 Dubai site and one of Dubai's latest cultural landmarks, marking the start of 182 days of visual wonders and immersive experiences in which we will create a new world and a better tomorrow with our visitors.
This grand event has been prepared by a select group of experts and creatives from around the world and various disciplines and cultural backgrounds, including several brilliant and creative minds from the UAE and beyond. The team includes visionary director Franco Dragone, known for his famous works including "Cirque du Soleil" and "La Perle," and Scott Givens, the president of Five Currents, a company specialized in organizing live events – including Olympic ceremonies and New Year celebrations worldwide – which has won several major awards.
The opening ceremony will be broadcast via Expo TV on YouTube and the Expo virtual site (https://virtualexpo.world/) and multiple channels to millions of viewers worldwide from Al Wasl Plaza, where the audience will experience an unprecedented visual and auditory spectacle and witness dazzling presentations on the largest visual display screen in the world. The opening ceremony will be the first of its kind to be held at the giant circular venue, placing the audience at the heart of the event as the show begins on the rotating stage, where attendees will enjoy breathtaking surroundings created with the latest theatrical display technologies.
The opening ceremony will also represent an important opportunity to highlight Expo 2020 Dubai's commitment to the highest health and safety standards for its staff, participants in the international event, and visitors, as it gathers the world in one of the first times that the peoples of the Earth meet again after the pandemic.
Expo 2020 Dubai will take place from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, and is the first international expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia; it will host the best music performances, architectural arts, technologies, and cultural shows from around the world throughout its duration; Expo 2020 Dubai will also provide an opportunity for the world to enjoy festive nighttime atmospheres at the Kaleidoscope festival; and it will gather the brightest minds through the "Humanity and Planet Earth" program, allowing visitors of all ages and interests to enjoy and make the most out of this extraordinary event.
