Expo 2020 Dubai: Get set for morning choirs, afternoon parades and fireworks

Weekly calendar lists live entertainment, ballet and even daily fitness sessions to draw international crowds

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  A ground level view of the Sustainability Pavilion. Organisers say the pavilion is intended to meet the highest available accreditation for sustainable architecture – LEED platinum certification.

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  A view of the large entry gateways that will welcome visitors to the Expo 2020 site in Dubai. Organisers expect 25 million visits to the site.

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  Geometry and landscaping combine in the Thematic Districts of Expo 2020 Dubai.

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  A spectacular view of one of the Entry Portals for visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai. The world fair opens on October 1.

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  A pink supermoon rises behind the Sustainability Portal. Expo 2020 Dubai was postponed from last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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  The Thematic Districts comprise 86 permanent buildings spread over three separate ‘petals’, housing 136 participating countries.

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  A nighttime view of the Mobility Pavilion. The Mobility District seeks to create connections to drive the world forward, breaking down the divide between the physical and digital worlds, say organisers.

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  The spectacular Al Wasl Dome is the centrepiece of Expo 2020 Dubai and one of the largest 360-degree projection surfaces in the world.

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  The 'Mare and Foal' statue at the Mobility Pavilion, photographed at sunrise.

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  An aerial general view of the Sustainability Pavilion.

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  Organisers say the Opportunity Pavilion seeks to build on the history of the 'plaza', its universal significance as a place for people to connect across age, language and culture, to celebrate shared human experiences

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  Each country participating in Expo 2020 Dubai will be able to celebrate their national day, or an 'honour day' during the event.

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  These will be held at Al Wasl Plaza, against the stunning backdrop of the Al Wasl Dome.

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  Expo 2020 Dubai runs from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

Expo 2020 Dubai has designed a diverse line-up of events and entertainment that will attract families, artists, professionals and businesses to Dubai.

Performances by school choirs, hip-hop dance face offs, the Russian Bolshoi ballet and critical discussions on water scarcity figure in the six-month calendar.

After sunset, sound and light stories about the Arab region and nature will be projected on the 360° translucent Al Wasl dome surface.

Laser shows, special effects and fireworks will also light up the night sky for events.

A detailed schedule released by Expo 2020 Dubai lists special programmes when the World Fair opens in Dubai in less than three months.

Al Wasl Plaza will be the setting for musical and dance performances during Expo 2020 Dubai.

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first global event amid the pandemic to welcome international guests with precautionary measures in place.

Across the Dubai South site, social distancing regulations, mandatory face masks, frequent deep cleaning and vaccines for all Expo staff and international participants are aimed to ensure the first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia will run uninterrupted over 182 days.

Every morning from October 1, thousands of students from schools in the UAE will host song and dance shows inside the massive Al Wasl dome.

In the afternoons, visitors seated in green areas surrounding the dome can watch international choirs and dance troupes as part of a Music in the Garden series.

Colourful parades will engage audiences in the Ghaf Avenue, a shaded area near the disc-shaped Sustainability Pavilion that is entirely operated by solar energy.

Every evening, live entertainment from international artistes will include opera, ballet and theatre.

Visitors will be introduced to rhythms from the region during two-hour Khaleeji-led “jam sessions” once a month, called Jalsat Nights @Expo.

The celebrations will continue late on Thursdays and Fridays with musical events from 10.30pm.

Monthly festivals will train the spotlight on different dance styles from Hawaii, the Philippines and the Caribbean.

Daily fitness sessions, from runs in the park to cycling, will encourage visitors to add exercise to their everyday routine.

People can meet their football and cricket heroes, and see the basketball skills of the Harlem Globetrotters in action.

Chess greats will arrive in November for the World Chess Championship, and workshops on space, women’s empowerment and disability rights will be held during themed weeks.

The entertainment will include Oscar winning composer AR Rahman’s Firdaus Orchestra, the Arab world’s celebrated singer Ragheb Alama and Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi.

The National has picked out some highlights of what the Expo has described as the "world’s biggest cultural gathering".

October

Celebrations have been planned for the National Day of France on October 2. Elaborate functions are planned for special days of more than 190 participating countries.

Female leaders who have fought to save the planet will be honoured at the Women’s Pavilion.

The annual Water, Energy, Technology and Environment (WETEX) exhibition will take place in October, as will the Dubai Solar Show.

The Australia pavilion is planning to host a cricket exhibition match.

Expo Space Week will cover exploring new frontiers, the Red Planet, space pioneers and applying space lessons to fight climate change.

Space will be one of the main themes of the US pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Courtesy: USA Pavilion at Expo 2020

November

Urban and Rural development week will focus on Africa and infrastructure development.

The UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations will be held from November 3 to November 6.

World Chess Championship starts on November 24 until December 16

December

UAE’s Golden Jubilee festivities to continue with National Day celebrations on December 2.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities will be marked on December 3 with meetings that include the youth.

A series of lectures on poetry and comedy in mid-December.

Special Christmas days will be celebrated from December 20 to 25.

January

Travel and connectivity week from January 9 to 15 will include sessions on unusual destinations for travellers.

Health and wellness week will spill into February with sports workshops for schools.

February

Valentine’s Day is among special days, as well as Halloween, Arabic Language Day, World Poetry Day and Mother's Day, with events held in a specially built amphitheatre.

Food agriculture and livelihoods week will focus on growing food sustainably to meet future demands, food security, waste and healthy eating habits.

March

Street theatre and circus artists from Hungary during the country’s national day.

The water week in late March will emphasise how to protect resources and water management solutions.