Spectacular Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony whets international appetites

The world's media report on event that brings together almost 200 nations

Visitors enjoy a light show at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Light show at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

A view of Expo 2020 Dubai from the Garden in the Sky. Victor Besa / The National

Expo 2020 Dubai is expected to welcome millions of visitors over the next six months. Victor Besa / The National

Expo 2020 Dubai seen from the Garden in the Sky. Victor Besa / The National

People visit the Russia pavilion during the first day of Expo 2020 Dubai. AP

Performers dance during the opening ceremony of the Russian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The National

Afghanistan's flag flies alongside others at the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. Reuters

Al Wasl Dome at sunset at Expo 2020 Dubai, the Middle East's first World Fair. AP

The Water Feature at sunset at Expo 2020 Dubai, where millions of visitors will travel over the next six months. AP

People pass by the Spain pavilion during the first day of Expo 2020 Dubai. AP

Visitors enjoy the Expo 2020 Dubai Water Feature area. Victor Besa / The National.

Visitors at the Expo 2020 Water Feature area, on the first day of the world fair. Victor Besa / The National

Wearing traditional costume, Keren Tang poses in front of the China pavilion. Victor Besa / The National

The Expo Explorer ride passes the China pavilion, which takes its inspiration from a Chinese lantern. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors to the Switzerland pavilion take shade under umbrellas while waiting in line. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors at the Belarus pavilion area. Victor Besa / The National

The UAE's Al Fursan aerobatics team perform on the first day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Kazakhstani women in traditional costume pose for a picture at the expo. AFP

A visitor in the Pakistan pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A guest receives her stamp at the China pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The spectacular UAE pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Visitors explore the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Visitors at the Pakistan pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Green lights come off the floor and the ceiling in the Pakistan pavilion to do with the Billion trees project on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The United Kingdom pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

International Colours Parade on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

International Colours Parade on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

International Colours Parade on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

International Colours Parade on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Italy pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

International Colours Parade on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The beauty of imaging. The anthropomorphic installation 'The Beauty of Imaging' is a fascinating example of art and life sciences marriage. The giant, 4 metres high and composed of 82 screens divided into 225 high-resolution LED tiles, pays homage with its iconic figure to the most famous artistic expressions, from classical sculpture to the genius of Michelangelo, up to Picasso's reworking of forms. Inside the Italy pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A life-size model of MichelangeloÕs David. Inside the Italy pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid visits Expo 2020 Dubai on Day One. All photos: @HHShkMohd / Twitter

Anatomic clock. Inside the Italy pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Inside the Italy pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Inside the Italy pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People interact with wandering robots on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak with Jeoungyeol Yu, Commissioner General of the Korea Pavilion, President and CEO of KOTRA at the official opening of the Korea pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The official opening of the Korea pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Thani Al Zeyoudi the Minister of State for Foreign Trade at the official opening of the Korea pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak at the official opening of the Korea pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Emirati traditional musicians greet visitors upon arrival. EPA

From the moment the doors opened at 10am on Friday, crowds have flocked to the world’s fair. EPA

Zeleros premieres its hyperloop vehicle during a media tour of the Spain Pavilion. AP Photo

Qataris take part in a traditional sword dance at the opening of the Qatar Pavilion. AP Photo

A visitor takes a selfie with a wandering robot. AP Photo

Visitors can choose from a vast selection of gifts at the souvenir shop. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The official shop is stocked with souvenirs. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Flag-waving visitors arrive at the international event. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People eager to get a glimpse of the 'world's greatest show' arrive bright and early on Friday morning. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Nitin Nishant takes a selfie in front of the Expo map. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Jaber, with his children Theyab, 6, and Shasna, 7, scans their tickets. 'We are looking forward to seeing the UAE pavilion, its our home country,' he said. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Filipino singers jump for joy as the doors to the world's fair finally open to the public. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Designated staff are on hand to help navigate visitors around the sprawling site. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The first day of the six-month expo gets under way. Chris Whiteoak / The National

International media praised the opening of Expo 2020 in Dubai on Friday after a stunning opening ceremony.

Canada's CBC news service described as "spectacular", an opening ceremony that featured Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, British singer Ellie Goulding, Chinese pianist Lang Lang and Saudi singer Mohammed Abdu.

Reuters, meanwhile, praised the "lavish ceremony of fireworks, music and messaging about the power of global collaboration for a more sustainable future".

Having kept the title Expo 2020 – the event was postponed by a year because of the outbreak of the coronavirus last year – this year's theme is Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.

Organisers say they are hoping to attract 25 million business and tourist visits to the world fair, which has been built from scratch on 440 hectares of desert and will run until March 2022.

"Dubai doesn't do anything by half, the city always goes big," CNN said of the huge effort to bring the event to life.

US Commissioner General Robert Clarke said he was expecting up to three million visitors to his nation's pavilion, which features a replica of the Space X Falcon rocket. He praised the Covid-19 testing protocols in place in the UAE and at the event. To enter the Expo site, visitors will need to show a negative PCR test or proof of Covid-19 vaccination.

"I think people will feel safe here. I know we feel really safe and confident that we can be safe and healthy at the Expo," he told CNBC.

Since first making a splash in London in 1851, world fairs have long been an opportunity for nations to meet, exchange ideas, showcase inventions, promote culture and build business ties.