EXPO 2020 DUBAI - THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

More than 190 countries have come together for Expo 2020 Dubai, a global extravaganza which has been billed as the Greatest Show on Earth.

The biggest event ever held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region has been in full swing in the City of Superlatives since October 1, with around 25 million visitors expected to be part of the magic.

The best of innovation, design, culture, education, arts, architecture and technology is being showcased on a massive 1,083 acres site, with nations uniting in the quest to find new ways to save the planet.

An overarching theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ is reverberating at Expo 2020 Dubai, with the dazzling city getting the chance to turn the spotlight on the world’s most innovative ideas in sustainability, mobility and opportunity.

Visitors are being treated to a sensational six-month feast of fun, excitement, fascination and entertainment until March 2022, with the organisers promising there will be something for everyone.

Daily shows, street festivals, concerts, family entertainment, pop-up theatres and colourful parades are just a few of the delights which await at the spellbinding global event.

Pavilions of wonder

A myriad of magnificent pavilions, which will take your breath away with their futuristic design and immense size, are a key attraction at the event.

Dozens of huge structures have been built to future Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold and Platinum green building standards to create an awe-inspiring spectacle.

Visitors can discover delights galore in the thematic mobility, opportunity and sustainability pavilions, including the chance to meet 9-metres tall giants of mobility and explore underneath a dense forest of the future.

Individual countries taking part have their own spectacular pavilion as a platform to show off their eco innovations and initiatives. The UK, for example, is exploring British innovation in the realms of AI, machine learning and space, in a pavilion inspired by famous English physicist Stephen Hawking.

Other major attractions include the Expo Live Pavilion, Women’s Pavilion and the Organisations and Partner Pavilions.

World of entertainment

There is no shortage of entertainment during the 182 days the event runs, with wonderful performers from around the globe turning on the talent.

World-famous stars, comedy greats, local acts and captivating touring attractions are wowing audiences with scintillating cultural performances, live music, theatre, art, conferences and much more.

Among the delights in store are a concert by renowned violinist Felix Lakjo, a fresh take on traditional dance by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, the enchanting voices of Morocco’s southern women and a fabulous music and dance routine by the Bakalama Group of Senegal.

Each evening Al Wasl Plaza’s dome awakens at sunset as an illuminated canvas on the world’s largest 360-degree projection surface, telling tales from the Arab region, our natural world and the cosmos. Then the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre bursts into life for a kaleidoscope of dance, music and story.

The Avenue of Nations is the setting for a daily Colours of the World parade where the crowds are being treated to a unique cultural fusion experience.

An array of dancers, acrobats and street performers roam the Expo site daily, entertaining and delighting visitors, while the Jubilee Stage is presenting a series of film nights and an exciting journey around the world through music, dance and culture.

Family fun

Expo 2020 Dubai has obvious appeal for families, with unique futuristic events and displays, hands-on activities and lively workshops to entertain all ages.

Gaze in awe as a band of robots brings Beethoven’s most iconic works to life, watch a fascinating immersive show of beautiful creatures bathed in light or play a game of high-stakes pinball to determine our planet’s future.

Families can also join an augmented reality (AR) gorilla trek for a riveting Congolese adventure, enter a 5G time and space tunnel or take a trip on a revolutionary electric linear elevator.

Young visitors can have an amazing time in a Mars-inspired playground or play a ‘jump and run’ game to guide a baby penguin back to safety. A range of interactive exhibits and fun-packed activities are also adding to the excitement.

Savour the flavours

Expo 2020 Dubai is a food lover’s paradise with more than 100 delicious dining experiences to tantalise your taste buds.

Tasty delicacies from Thailand, Mexico, France, Brazil, Italy, Greece, Japan, Peru and India are just a few of the mouth-watering cuisines for visitors to savour.

Everything from food trucks and food halls to thematic award gala dinners and private group dining experiences are delivering sublime flavoursome fare throughout the event.

Several award-winning chefs will display their culinary skills during Expo 2020 including American restaurateur David Myers, celebrated Armenian-American chef Geoffrey Zakarian and talented French chef Mory Sacko.

Food of the future is a topic which is also being fully explored, with virtual reality dining, glow-in-the-dark fare and a kitchen featuring robots among the incredible attractions. The Expo 2020 site is also fully-licensed, making it ideal for socialising and having a fantastic night out.