• Air show display on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Air show display on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Nearly 23 million visits had been made to Expo by the start of this week after the more than one million visits recorded from Friday to Sunday. Pawan Singh / The National
    Nearly 23 million visits had been made to Expo by the start of this week after the more than one million visits recorded from Friday to Sunday. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Expo has hosted 30,000 events, including government summits and 5,000 sporting fixtures. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Expo has hosted 30,000 events, including government summits and 5,000 sporting fixtures. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A spectacular closing ceremony will be 'end of a beautiful journey' for Expo 2020 Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
    A spectacular closing ceremony will be 'end of a beautiful journey' for Expo 2020 Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • It's a party atmosphere for the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    It's a party atmosphere for the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Some funky costumes to mark the end of the hugely successful event in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Some funky costumes to mark the end of the hugely successful event in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Big screens put up on the last day of the world's fair in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Big screens put up on the last day of the world's fair in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • People flock to the merchandise outlet on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    People flock to the merchandise outlet on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Kids enjoying the dance class at the Sustainability pavilion as Expo 2020 Dubai nears its conclusion. Pawan Singh / The National
    Kids enjoying the dance class at the Sustainability pavilion as Expo 2020 Dubai nears its conclusion. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai could watch the closing ceremony on more than 20 giant screens across the site, including at the Jubilee Stage, Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre and Festival Garden. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai could watch the closing ceremony on more than 20 giant screens across the site, including at the Jubilee Stage, Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre and Festival Garden. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors enjoy the water feature on the last day. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors enjoy the water feature on the last day. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors arrive for the expo's final day. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Visitors arrive for the expo's final day. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Crowds on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Crowds on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Visitors arrive at the world's fair for the last time. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Visitors arrive at the world's fair for the last time. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Preparations going on for the closing ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
    Preparations going on for the closing ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Reem Al Hashimy, centre, Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general of Expo 2020 Dubai, on the final day of the Expo. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Reem Al Hashimy, centre, Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general of Expo 2020 Dubai, on the final day of the Expo. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Ms Al Hashimy opens the Sustainability Portal on the Expo's final day. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Ms Al Hashimy opens the Sustainability Portal on the Expo's final day. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Visitors queue to enter the site on the final day. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors queue to enter the site on the final day. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Expo staff at the site entrances faced a busy start to the final day. Pawan Singh / The National
    Expo staff at the site entrances faced a busy start to the final day. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors queue at the security gate. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors queue at the security gate. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Early arrivals on the final day of the world fair. Pawan Singh / The National
    Early arrivals on the final day of the world fair. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors taking selfies to record their presence on the final day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors taking selfies to record their presence on the final day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Dubai police prepare for the final day at the world's fair. Pawan Singh / The National
    Dubai police prepare for the final day at the world's fair. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors approach Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors approach Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A rare opportunity to capture a quiet moment at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A rare opportunity to capture a quiet moment at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors on the last day at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors on the last day at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Hollywood star Morgan Freeman narrates video that tells the story of Expo 2020 Dubai


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

Expo 2020 Dubai’s incredible journey has been captured in a video telling the story of the world’s fair, with Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman’s famous voice narrating it.

The seven-minute video, released this week, shows highlights from Expo 2020, including the pavilions, celebrity appearances and some of its key events.

Click through the gallery above to see highlights from Expo 2020 Dubai's final day.

“How do you build the impossible?” Freeman says, at the start of the video.

“A city for humanity. A city for which there are no blueprints. A city to welcome the world,” he says. “The dream. But like all good stories, we should go back to the beginning.”

The video then shows scenes from Paris in 2013, when Dubai won the bid to host Expo 2020.

However, it also highlights the challenges organisers faced, brought about by the onset of the global pandemic in early 2020, six months before Expo was due to begin.

“But as that commitment was becoming a reality, our world as we knew it changed forever,” Freeman says.

“At a time when the world needed it most, we found a true moment of global solidarity.

“With an uncertain future, and a host of new challenges, the greatest hope we have is each other.”

The video features snippets from some of Expo’s 24 million visitors, as well as clips of appearances made by Cristiano Ronaldo, Lewis Hamilton, Alicia Keys and Coldplay.

See pictures of celerity appearances at Expo 2020 Dubai:

  • Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United forward footballer, takes a selfie with the crowd during Expo 2020 Dubai at Al Wasl Plaza, in Dubai on January 28, 2022. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United forward footballer, takes a selfie with the crowd during Expo 2020 Dubai at Al Wasl Plaza, in Dubai on January 28, 2022. Reuters
  • Britain's Prince William, left, Duke of Cambridge, walks at Al Wasl Dome during his visit to Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP
    Britain's Prince William, left, Duke of Cambridge, walks at Al Wasl Dome during his visit to Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP
  • Chris Martin of the band Coldplay performs at Expo 2020 on February 15, 2022. Reuters
    Chris Martin of the band Coldplay performs at Expo 2020 on February 15, 2022. Reuters
  • Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, left, with Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai, visit Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, left, with Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai, visit Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Singer Kadim Al Sahir performs during the opening of the Infinite Nights series at Expo 2020 Dubai on October 15. Reuters
    Singer Kadim Al Sahir performs during the opening of the Infinite Nights series at Expo 2020 Dubai on October 15. Reuters
  • Nancy Ajram performs as part of Infinite Nights on November 12. Walaa Alshaer / Expo 2020 Dubai
    Nancy Ajram performs as part of Infinite Nights on November 12. Walaa Alshaer / Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt led a 1.45-kilometre family run. Victor Besa / The National
    Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt led a 1.45-kilometre family run. Victor Besa / The National
  • South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha in Dubai for Expo 2020 on October 18. Issa AlKindy for The National
    South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha in Dubai for Expo 2020 on October 18. Issa AlKindy for The National
  • Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, left, and chief executive Ferran Soriano, are presented Expo 2020 Dubai souvenirs by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, president of the UAE Football Association. Photo: UAE FA
    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, left, and chief executive Ferran Soriano, are presented Expo 2020 Dubai souvenirs by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, president of the UAE Football Association. Photo: UAE FA
  • Egyptian artist Amr Diab performs at the Jubilee Stage on October 30. Photo: Mahmoud Khaled / Expo 2020 Dubai
    Egyptian artist Amr Diab performs at the Jubilee Stage on October 30. Photo: Mahmoud Khaled / Expo 2020 Dubai
  • South Korean boy band Highlight perform at Expo 2020 Dubai. Christophe Viseux / Expo 2020 Dubai
    South Korean boy band Highlight perform at Expo 2020 Dubai. Christophe Viseux / Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Emirates welcomes Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to its Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion. Photo: Emirates
    Emirates welcomes Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to its Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion. Photo: Emirates
  • Actor Bryan Cranston visits the Mexico Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Suneesh Sudhakaran / Expo 2020 Dubai
    Actor Bryan Cranston visits the Mexico Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Suneesh Sudhakaran / Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Andrea Bocelli performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Andrea Bocelli performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Chinese pianist Lang Lang performs at Al Wasl Plaza. EPA
    Chinese pianist Lang Lang performs at Al Wasl Plaza. EPA
  • A R Rahman performs at Jubilee Stage. Mahmoud Khaled / Expo 2020 Dubai
    A R Rahman performs at Jubilee Stage. Mahmoud Khaled / Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Lea Salonga performs at Jubilee Stage on Christmas Day. Mahmoud Khaled / Expo 2020 Dubai
    Lea Salonga performs at Jubilee Stage on Christmas Day. Mahmoud Khaled / Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Alicia Keys performs a concert as part of the Infinite Nights series. Suneesh Sudhakaran / Expo 2020 Dubai)
    Alicia Keys performs a concert as part of the Infinite Nights series. Suneesh Sudhakaran / Expo 2020 Dubai)
  • Pakistan singer Atif Aslam performs at Jubilee Stage. Christophe Viseux / Expo 2020 Dubai
    Pakistan singer Atif Aslam performs at Jubilee Stage. Christophe Viseux / Expo 2020 Dubai
  • DJ Armin Van Buuren performs during the New Year’s Eve celebrations at Al Wasl. Christophe Viseux / Expo 2020 Dubai
    DJ Armin Van Buuren performs during the New Year’s Eve celebrations at Al Wasl. Christophe Viseux / Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Portuguese football legend Luis Figo with the UEFA Champions League Trophy at the Mastercard Cube, Expo 2020 Dubai. Christopher Pike / Expo 2020 Dubai
    Portuguese football legend Luis Figo with the UEFA Champions League Trophy at the Mastercard Cube, Expo 2020 Dubai. Christopher Pike / Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Lionel Messi visits Surreal, the water feature, during his visit to Expo 2020 Dubai. Christophe Viseux / Expo 2020 Dubai
    Lionel Messi visits Surreal, the water feature, during his visit to Expo 2020 Dubai. Christophe Viseux / Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Dimitri Vegas performs during the New Year’s Eve celebrations at Jubilee Stage at Expo 2020 Dubai. Charbel Chalouhy / Expo 2020 Dubai
    Dimitri Vegas performs during the New Year’s Eve celebrations at Jubilee Stage at Expo 2020 Dubai. Charbel Chalouhy / Expo 2020 Dubai

“As we say our last goodbyes, and head back to the places near and far we call home, we can reflect on the countless experiences we have shared here,” Freeman says.

“Over 20 million of us, from more countries than ever before, leave here united by a shared dream and bounded by a common purpose — every one of us changed by the realisation that ‘I can too’.

“We will build the future that we want for humanity.

“Expo City will live on as a permanent fixture of Dubai and as an enduring beacon of the city’s commitment to creating a future of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.”

Freeman is not the first Hollywood actor to feature in a video promoting Expo 2020 Dubai. Ahead of the world’s fair opening, Chris Hemsworth appeared in a promo video, made in partnership with Emirates.

The advertisement, which was directed by two-time Oscar-winning director Robert Stromberg, features the Thor star walking through a computer-generated version of the Expo 2020 site.

The song Pure Imagination, from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, is being sung by a children’s choir and reinterpreted by a 70-piece orchestra in the background.

Updated: April 15, 2022, 9:43 AM