Expo 2020 Dubai has officially opened, and the whole world is ready to burst through those now iconic front gates and experience the show-stopping experience.
Wondering what to expect? We were at the thrilling Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony and have seen the grounds with our own eyes.
‘Meets the hype’ (and there has been a lot of hype) doesn’t even begin to cover it.
With incredible pavilions, gorgeous architecture, loads of places to eat, and a line-up of unmissable events to look forward to, you feel energised just walking through this space.
If you’re anything like us, your head will be practically spinning while you take in the different country pavilions.
From Russia’s multi-coloured cord-like exteriors to Finland’s draped entrance and Belgium’s living facades to the UAE’s iconic falcon-shaped structure, the wonderment is everywhere, and that’s before we’ve even peeped inside the pavilions proper (more on that in the coming days and weeks, folks).
It feels like we’ve entered an entirely new city, with so much to see and learn about we can feel our grey matter growing just from hanging out here.
And that’s the overall aim of this spectacular new city; to inspire and ignite a passion for change among its some 25 million visits between now and March 2022.
One thing that won’t be changing is your love for a snap – Expo 2020 Dubai is set to thrill feeds worldwide.
The ‘city’ is a marvel in itself and a triumph in moder blueprinting. Down each avenue (of which there are plenty) lies another adventure and if anyone out there manages to complete them all in the 182-day run of the show, we commend you.
Step-counter? It’s about to learn some all new numerals. This place is vast. Which will make you all the more hungry for Expo’s equally lengthy list of gastronomic foods stops.
Kitchens weren’t fired up for the opening ceremony, but we’re going to be all over them (we see you The Mattar Farm and The Irish Village), just as soon as the chefs are in place.
But about that ceremony (the reason we were there in the first place). Well, where to begin.
It was an odyssey, the tapestry of the UAE played out through meticulously choreographed dance routines, musical spectacles, and the kind of illuminations to rival the Northern Lights.
Indeed, much of the jaw-dropping theatrics were played out up on the ceiling of the colossal Al Wasl Dome, shifting from one impossible pattern to the next in the same effortless way sand skims from the top of the UAE’s orange dunes.
Throw into the mix the likes of Ellie Goulding, Andra Day and a certain Andrea Bocelli and the star quality of this global event is sparkling.
By the time Our Time Is Now is blaring through the soundsystem and the fireworks in the sky above are erupting in synchronised symmetry, the occasion of Expo 2020 Dubai is not just upon you, it’s engulfing you.
Will Expo 2020 Dubai’s seen to be unearthed wonders match that feeling? We’re pretty sure that’s a big yes.
Dhs95 (one day), Dhs95 (October Pass, until Oct 15), Dhs195 (30 days), Dhs495 (6 months). Oct 1 2021- Mar 31 2022. Dubai Exhibition Centre, expo2020dubai.com.
For everything you need to know about Expo 2020 Dubai click here.
