Image credit: Expo City
The iconic Al Wasl Plaza dome in Expo City Dubai, which served as the centerpiece of Expo 2020 Dubai, has secured a place in the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest interactive immersive dome.
This recognition was celebrated with the release of a calendar of events by Expo City Dubai, showcasing the dome’s continued significance.
Al Wasl Plaza
Al Wasl Plaza, with its translucent 360-degree design, is another notch in UAE’s architectural landscape.
Located at the heart of Expo City Dubai, it has served as a backdrop to landmark events starting with Expo 2020.
The Guinness World Records recognition was confirmed by Alwaleed Osman, the official adjudicator at Guinness World Records, who emphasised the dome’s significance and commitment to innovation and excellence by Expo 2020 Dubai and Expo City Dubai.
Al Wasl, meaning “connection” in Arabic, stands tall at 67 meters and features a captivating steel trellis design.
It has been the backdrop for stunning visual effects and hosted renowned performances by artists like Coldplay, Alicia Keys, and Nancy Ajram. The dome’s design, inspired by a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age ring found in the UAE, boasts rows of embedded speakers for optimal sound quality during concerts.
Here is a look at the iconic dome during a Coldplay concert.
Dubai! Thank you for last night’s incredible #InfiniteNights show at #Expo2020
It was so inspiring to be with everyone, to visit the sustainability pavilions and to see Dubai’s Reuse, Refill, Reimagine initiative in action. 💚#DubaiCan #Dubai #DubaiPeopleandPlanet pic.twitter.com/OxtdHwuzNZ
— Coldplay (@coldplay) February 16, 2022
Calendar of events
To celebrate this achievement, Expo City Dubai unveiled a range of exciting offerings, including the opening of a new café featuring Arabic fusion cuisine, cultural festivals, and interactive experiences with the dome, which visitors can enjoy through their mobile phones.
Highlights include a musical performance in October addressing climate change, the Dubai Calligraphy Biennale featuring renowned artists, and hosting COP28 in November as part of the green zone during the global climate summit.
The dome will also host the Artificial Intelligence Film Festival and become the centerpiece of Winter City celebrations from December to January.
The calendar for 2024 is packed with exciting events, including Break the Block, a music, food, and arts festival; Untold – an electronic dance music festival, and Hai Ramadan, a cultural event observing the Holy Month.
Sports enthusiasts can look forward to the Dubai Half Marathon and the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge, starting from Expo City Dubai.
