Millions across the globe tuned in to virtually watch the eagerly awaited event, in addition to the 3,000 people inside Al Wasl Plaza. As the golden ring of connectivity – the inspiration for the Dubai Expo 2020 logo – was raised to the trellis of the magnificent Al Wasl Plaza, the beating heart of the Expo site, and the spectacular setting for the captivating ceremony, the most inclusive World Expo ever officially got underway.
In addition to music from some of the most influential artists on the planet and a live orchestra, a sensory overload of powerful visuals was displayed on the world’s largest 360-degree projection screen at Al Wasl Plaza. In addition to more than 3,000 lighting fixtures, 1,000 speakers, 1,300 costumes, and buckets of passion and emotion from all 1,000 performers and volunteers, the show was a masterful showcase of artistic collaboration.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai welcomed the world to Expo 2020 Dubai – and to the UAE – in his speech, saying: “Expo 2020 Dubai will provide a significant platform for all people to connect, discuss and work together. Together, we will convey, from the UAE to the world, on our 50th anniversary, a message of tolerance, coexistence, and peace; a message of progress, prosperity, and growth; a message of brotherhood, happiness, and an unwavering will to create a brighter future for everyone.”
Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary-General, Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), said: “All the world is coming together, for the first time since the pandemic began, to connect, to exchange and to learn on this extraordinary global stage. The time has now come to open Expo 2020 Dubai, an Expo that marks the era, that plays a defining role in the global recovery, and that contributes to a better future.”
It was a proud and visually stunning moment when the flags of Expo’s 192 participating nations were unveiled following a domino effect. It also signified a reawakening of the world.
It was celebrated tenor Andrea Bocelli who brought the house down when he closed the night with one of his all-time classics, The Prayer, its lyrics of human connection crescendoing into the grand finale.
With more than 80 million albums under his belt, classical music’s biggest-selling living artist said that performing at Expo 2020 was a “great honour” and that his presence at Al Wasl “reflects all of the affection my audience has been giving me for many years and I hope to give it back”.
Andrea Bocelli said: “We have all gone through a year that no one could ever have imagined. For a year, we have lost the essentials, our freedom in and, in a sense, and even our dignity. Now we finally see the light and I hope that this event will also help to instill in everyone a sense of optimism, a desire to achieve and to put what has been behind us.”
Before that, chart-topping British vocalist Ellie Goulding belted out a resounding, uplifting version of Anything Can Happen; Andra Day enraptured the audience with Rise Up; Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang wowed with his wizardry; and four-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo, together with renowned Saudi singer Mohammed Abdu, sang John Legend’s powerful “If You’re Out There“, with its moving lyrics imploring the world to join together.
Highlights included the official Expo song, “This Is Our Time“, performed by Arab artists Hussain Al Jassmi, Almas, and Mayssa Karaa, with Emirati singing sensation Ahlam Alshamsi completing the impressive regional line-up. A.R. Rahman’s all-women ensemble, the Firdaus Orchestra, comprised of 50 musicians from across the Arab world, was also a key part of the ceremony’s inspirational journey.
Scott Givens, Executive Producer, Expo 2020 Opening Ceremony, who co-curated and co-produced the show with Franco Dragone, Artistic Director, said: “We picked artists that had songs that belonged in the ceremony and that tied in with Expo’s themes.
“Of course, we wanted to represent the world, we wanted to be plural and we wanted to reflect the diversity of our planet. I’m very proud of the combination of talent that we’ve brought together to do this and the way they’ve executed the story.”
The celebration was characterized by warmth, respect, togetherness, and camaraderie, which also demonstrated that the world is ready to embrace live events again. With a stage set for Expo 2020 Dubai, the world’s biggest cultural gathering is set to take place for 182 days, during which a record number of countries, international organizations, businesses, and educational institutions will participate, creating the largest and most diverse World Expo ever.