• Visitors watch a spectacular audio-visual show at Al Wasl Plaza at Expo 2020 Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors watch a spectacular audio-visual show at Al Wasl Plaza at Expo 2020 Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Expo visitors are bathed in coloured light during a multimedia show at Al Wasl Plaza.
    Expo visitors are bathed in coloured light during a multimedia show at Al Wasl Plaza.
  • Students from Abu Dhabi Police Academy beneath the stunning Al Wasl Plaza dome.
    Students from Abu Dhabi Police Academy beneath the stunning Al Wasl Plaza dome.
  • A visitor to the Seychelles pavilion, where there is an opportunity to learn about the country's unique ecosystem.
    A visitor to the Seychelles pavilion, where there is an opportunity to learn about the country's unique ecosystem.
  • Visitors hunt for souvenirs at one of the Expo kiosks.
    Visitors hunt for souvenirs at one of the Expo kiosks.
  • An interactive culture lab session for learning choreography at the Germany pavilion.
    An interactive culture lab session for learning choreography at the Germany pavilion.
  • Gift items on display at the Lithuania pavilion.
    Gift items on display at the Lithuania pavilion.
  • Visitors to the Lithuania pavilion learn about the country's landscapes.
    Visitors to the Lithuania pavilion learn about the country's landscapes.
  • Choreography lessons are on offer at the Germany pavilion.
    Choreography lessons are on offer at the Germany pavilion.
  • Visitors get their picture taken outside the Qatar pavilion
    Visitors get their picture taken outside the Qatar pavilion
  • Emirati visitors at the Lithuania pavilion.
    Emirati visitors at the Lithuania pavilion.
  • A forest landscape has been recreated at the Sweden pavilion.
    A forest landscape has been recreated at the Sweden pavilion.
  • Visitors study exhibits at the Lithuania pavilion.
    Visitors study exhibits at the Lithuania pavilion.
  • Young visitors take in the Expo attractions without having to leave their buggy.
    Young visitors take in the Expo attractions without having to leave their buggy.
  • Visitors explore the Brazil pavilion.
    Visitors explore the Brazil pavilion.
  • The Brazil pavilion offers a perfect spot for visitors to relax.
    The Brazil pavilion offers a perfect spot for visitors to relax.

Al Wasl Plaza light show alone worth admission price, say visitors to Expo 2020


Patrick Ryan
  • English
  • Arabic

Visitors say the light show at the Al Wasl Plaza at Expo 2020 Dubai is so impressive it is worth the price of admission alone.

Tourists and UAE residents alike were mesmerised by the display, which “tells the story of the Arab region, the natural world, the cosmos and humanity’s endless quest for a better future”.

“I am absolutely impressed,” said Abu Dhabi resident Fatima Alremeithi.

“This is my first night here, and while I want to see each of the pavilions, if the only thing I saw was this display then it would be more than worth it.

It’s an incredible feeling to watch this standing here tonight as a proud Emirati
Fatima Alremeithi

“It’s an incredible feeling to watch this standing here tonight as a proud Emirati.”

Indian Syed Afnaan, who is on holiday in Dubai for a fortnight, said he was blown away by what he witnessed on Tuesday.

“The light show is the main attraction and it’s amazing,” he said.

“This is my first night at expo but I’ll definitely be back here before I go home.”

Nataliia Malyshko, also in Dubai on holiday, said the entire expo was “very, very good”.

“I am definitely impressed,” the Russian tourist said.

“This is our first night here but we are going to be back for sure.”

Ahmed Kotb, an Egyptian who has lived in Dubai for 15 years, said the scale of the Al Wasl Plaza was hard to comprehend.

“It is like something you could only imagine, if I wasn’t looking at it with my own eyes I wouldn’t believe it was possible,” Mr Kotb said.

“We all spent four years wondering if the expo was nothing but a dream, but now when you’re standing here inside, you realise that yes it can be done.”

A UK tourist described the expo as “very futuristic” and that it was clear a great deal of planning had gone into it.

“I’m here because I want to see what the future of the world looks like,” said Paul Ford, on holiday from the UK.

“I want to see how things are going to evolve and how me and my son can help shape the future.”

Updated: October 13, 2021, 10:10 AM