Dubai opened Expo 2020 in an extravagant ceremony Thursday that bathed the site's signature central dome in light, a symbolic beacon for the city-state's hopes that the world's fair will draw tourists despite the coronavirus pandemic.
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Delayed a year by the virus, Expo 2020 has over 190 countries taking part in the event that will last six months. The futuristic extravaganza, complete with individual pavilions feels like an entire city, built on what were once rolling sand dunes on Dubai's southern edges.
Thursday night's ceremony, attended by Abu Dhabi's powerful Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and a host of other dignitaries, offered the equivalent of a creation myth for Dubai as hundreds of singers, dancers, and acrobats performed. The site's central Al Wasl Dome, made of steel and weighing the equivalent of 25 blue whales, according to Expo organizers, became a 360-degree screen showing images of the desert and nature as sound rolled across the gathered audience.
The Israeli pavilion, designed as an open tent, was designed by Herzliya-based AVS Creative Visual Solutions to be inviting to attendees.
Among those slated to make appearances were Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg and Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov.
Leaders from a majority of participating countries are set to visit the pavilion, and the Foreign Ministry reported it had drawn a great deal of interest following a preliminary tour by some 30 senior correspondents from the Arab Gulf region and social media influences from the Arab world.
Israel pavilion representative Menachem Gantz told Israel Hayom: "We are earning exciting cooperation on the part of the host country. The Israeli pavilion is a sign of hope at the expo, and journalists who experienced the experience were moved …."
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