Visitors have turned up in their droves for the first light show at Al Wasl Dome since Expo 2020 Dubai ended earlier this year.
The theme of the colourful display was "Reveal" and it was designed to celebrate the first day of the site’s new incarnation as Expo City Dubai.
Many of those in attendance had waited until sunset, strategically avoiding the heat.
As images were projected on to the roof of the dome, visitors could have been forgiven for thinking they had been transported back in time to the world's fair as familiar sounds and sights filled the auditorium.
Among those in attendance was Umair Jamil, a warehouse manager from Pakistan, who had brought a jacket covered in 700 Expo-themed badges.
“I have been here since 9am this morning. I couldn’t sleep last night as I was so excited about coming back again,” Mr Jamil said.
“I started collecting the badges last year when I was a volunteer at Expo 2020 Dubai.
“Last time, I was here as a volunteer, but this time I am a visitor, so I am looking forward to experiencing it all again but through new eyes.”
Alongside him at Al Wasl Dome was Zameen Mohammed, an interior design student from India, who had taken along a book full of sketches of the pavilions, which he began in March — as the original Expo event drew to a close.
“It was last March that I realised I was going to miss the place so much. I decided to come in the mornings and start drawing sketches of the pavilions,” the University of Dubai student said.
“I am hoping that I will be able to complete the set now. The Expo was very dear to my heart.”
Saturday was the official opening of Expo City Dubai, with free entry for visitors. Four pavilions were open as well, each costing Dh50 to enter — unless a Dh120 day pass was purchased.
A soft opening took place at the beginning of September with two of the pavilions open to visitors.
Although the vast majority of the many pavilions from the world’s fair were no longer open, visitors were still free to wander around the entire site.
One guest said he could not wait to attend on Saturday because worries about Covid-19 had kept him away from the initial event.
“We decided to play it cautious as we were concerned over the pandemic and wanted to avoid large crowds,” said Ghamer Adala, a Filipino physiotherapist living in Abu Dhabi.
“It’s great to be finally here and witness the light show here in the Al Wasl Dome as I saw so many photos and videos of it throughout the duration of the Expo."
Joanna Selcott, from England, who was visiting her daughter in Dubai, said she was delighted that Expo’s second lease of life had given her the chance to witness it for herself.
“I am having a wander around and it’s fantastic. I’ll definitely be back again as well before I go back,” she said.
For one Sharjah resident it was all about the light show at Al Wasl Dome.
“I never managed to get to the Expo first time around,” said Sushil Kumar, a procurement manager from India.
“I really wanted to see the display at the Al Wasl Dome for myself and it’s amazing to be finally here.”
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Switching%20sides
%3Cp%3EMahika%20Gaur%20is%20the%20latest%20Dubai-raised%20athlete%20to%20attain%20top%20honours%20with%20another%20country.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVelimir%20Stjepanovic%20(Serbia%2C%20swimming)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBorn%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20raised%20in%20Dubai%2C%20he%20finished%20sixth%20in%20the%20final%20of%20the%202012%20Olympic%20Games%20in%20London%20in%20the%20200m%20butterfly%20final.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EJonny%20Macdonald%20(Scotland%2C%20rugby%20union)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBrought%20up%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20represented%20the%20region%20in%20international%20rugby.%20When%20the%20Arabian%20Gulf%20team%20was%20broken%20up%20into%20its%20constituent%20nations%2C%20he%20opted%20to%20play%20for%20Scotland%20instead%2C%20and%20went%20to%20the%20Hong%20Kong%20Sevens.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESophie%20Shams%20(England%2C%20rugby%20union)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20daughter%20of%20an%20English%20mother%20and%20Emirati%20father%2C%20Shams%20excelled%20at%20rugby%20in%20Dubai%2C%20then%20after%20attending%20university%20in%20the%20UK%20played%20for%20England%20at%20sevens.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Smart words at Make Smart Cool
Make Smart Cool is not your usual festival. Dubbed “edutainment” by organisers Najahi Events, Make Smart Cool aims to inspire its youthful target audience through a mix of interactive presentation by social media influencers and a concert finale featuring Example with DJ Wire. Here are some of the speakers sharing their inspiration and experiences on the night.
Prince Ea
With his social media videos accumulating more half a billion views, the American motivational speaker is hot on the college circuit in the US, with talks that focus on the many ways to generate passion and motivation when it comes to learning.
Khalid Al Ameri
The Emirati columnist and presenter is much loved by local youth, with writings and presentations about education, entrepreneurship and family balance. His lectures on career and personal development are sought after by the education and business sector.
Ben Ouattara
Born to an Ivorian father and German mother, the Dubai-based fitness instructor and motivational speaker is all about conquering fears and insecurities. His talk focuses on the need to gain emotional and physical fitness when facing life’s challenges. As well managing his film production company, Ouattara is one of the official ambassadors of Dubai Expo2020.
The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
