UAE welcomes the world to Expo 2020 Dubai with spectacular opening ceremony

Live performance was screened to millions at home and abroad

Spectacular fireworks and entertainment welcome the world to Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday night. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

The opening ceremony under the magnificent Al Wasl dome. Photo: Karim Sahib / AFP

The silver and white ghaf tree forms a centrepiece at the performance centre of Al Wasl Plaza during the opening ceremony. Photo: Ali Haider / EPA

Andrea Bocelli takes the stage at the opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Dancers perform during the opening ceremony. Getty

Ellie Goulding performs at the Expo 2020 opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at the Expo 2020 opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Chinese pianist Lang Lang opens the performance at Al Wasl Plaza for the Middle East's first Expo. Photo: Ali Haider / EPA

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

In the pink with a splash of colour as the event starts with a bang. Photo: Reuters

The impressive opening ceremony for Expo 2020 Dubai, which was streamed live to millions around the world. Photo: Giuseppe Cacace / AFP

All flowered up at the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Reuters

If the opening night is anything to go by, the entire event promises to be quite a spectacle. Reuters

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Kamran Jebreili / AP

Lights, colour and fun are the order of the day. Photo: Reuters

Andra Day takes centre stage. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, declares Expo 2020 Dubai open with a prayer. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

World-renowned Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi performs in his country's Expo opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Ahlam AlShamsi performs. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions, the governing body of world's fairs, addresses the audience at the opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Hussain Al Jassmi, Mayssa Karaa and Almas perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP

Fireworks light up the skies around the Expo site in Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

A logo of Expo 2020 Dubai is projected during the opening ceremony. AFP

Flag-raising at the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday.

Ahlam AlShamsi performs during the opening ceremony. Photo: Kamran Jebreili / AP

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Reuters

The opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

The full spectacle that was the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony on Thursday night. Photo: David Jimenez / Expo 2020 Dubai

Dubai opens its Expo 2020 with an extravagant opening ceremony of fireworks, flags and light shows. Photo: AFP

Opening ceremony fireworks. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

A young Emirati performs in the story of the ring that inspired the Expo 2020 Dubai logo. Photo: Christophe Viseux / Expo 2020 Dubai

The world's fair was delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Performers line up to welcome visitors to the site of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: AFP

Emirati girls welcome guests before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Traditions at play to help kick off the event. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Guests arrive before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National

A buzz is spreading around the site before the opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Al Wasl Plaza before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National

The national flags of countries participating in Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP

Excited spectators arrive. AFP

Members of staff pose for a picture before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National

An ideal photo opportunity. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Last-minute preparations, as meticulous as ever, for the big event. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Final preparations are under way in Al Wasl Plaza before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony on Thursday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Officials have anticipated and prepared for every eventuality that could crop up during the 182-day world's fair. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National

LIVE BLOG: Full coverage of Expo 2020 Dubai

It is here at last. The greatest show on Earth has arrived in town with the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai.

The months of waiting and the one-year delay caused by the global pandemic were swept away in a spectacular opening ceremony that was shown live at 430 locations across the UAE and on screens in New York's Times Square.

The breathtaking show culminated in a firework display to match the “big bang” promised by organisers to launch the next 182 days.

As darkness fell on Al Wasl Plaza, the 67-metre dome inspired by the shape of the official Expo logo, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai saw his dream became a reality.

It is nearly eight years since Dubai was awarded the right to host the 2020 world's fair, brought to life on a site that is now a city within a city, and reportedly bigger than Monaco.

Sheikh Mohammed was joined by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

They watched as the evening began with a performance of the UAE national anthem performed by Emirati singer and actor Rashed Al Nuaimi, followed by fireworks in red, green and white to reflect the country’s flag.

UAE superstar Hussain Al Jassmi then took the stage for the opening sequence based on the story of the Expo 2020 Dubai logo and set on an undulating sand dune, as an Emirati girl is empowered by the spirit of expo and the discovery of a golden ring connecting the past to the present.

Next came the entry of the flags of the UAE, Expo 2020 Dubai and the BIE, the organising world body, after which the flags of all 192 nations taking part were revealed to a performance by the Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo and Saudi singer Mohammed Abdu.

For the formal opening ceremony, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Expo 2020 Dubai Commissioner General and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, told the audience: “By hosting Expo 2020 Dubai, we aim to convey a message of tolerance and that we are willing to co0-operate with all of the world. By connecting minds, we hope to sow the seeds of progress for the next 50 or even 100 years.

“Today we say to the whole world, welcome to the United Arab Emirates and welcome to Expo 2020 Dubai, which will provide a significant platform for all people to connect, discuss and work together.”

Declaring the opening, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, offered a prayer, saying: “Today we witness, together, a new beginning, as we inaugurate, with the blessings of Allah, Expo 2020. May God grant us success.”

Jaw-dropping special effects

An international cast of more than 900 performers had been assembled for show that followed. There were Emiratis and others representing 64 countries, all already living and working in the UAE.

With the world’s biggest sound system and 152 projectors assembled inside the Al Wasl dome, the event featured jaw-dropping special effects. They began by depicting the birth of the planet in a glowing orb of fire. It then evolved into the blue and white globe of Earth and finally a shimmering pearl that descended under the sea.

Each segment featured an internationally famous artist, beginning with the Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang.

An underwater sequence filled with brilliant tropical fish, turtles and, finally, a giant whale represented living in harmony with nature and sustaining life, one of the themes of Expo 2020 Dubai.

It was followed by the award-winning singer Ellie Goulding and the song Anything Could Happen as clouds filled the dome.

Then came a performance by Golden Globe winning performer Andra Day, as cast members assembled into a caravan of humanity, representing the potential to create a better tomorrow.

In the show’s final act, the dome and plaza were transformed into a magical garden with dancers in fantastical costumes representing blossoming flowers. There was a huge silver and white ghaf tree, the native symbol of the UAE, along with the voice live on stage of the world-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli and a prayer in song: “When shadows fill our day, lead us to a place.”

A final firework display - the last and most spectacular of three during the performance - burst in the skies over the site, signalling not the end of the evening but the beginning of six months that unites the world in Dubai.