UAE is all set to celebrate the one year countdown to the much awaited Expo 2020 on Sunday, 20 October. Celebratory events across all seven Emirates include live performances from global and regional celebrities, family and kids entertainment options, food stalls, Expo 2020 mascot appearances and much more.
The celebrations will kick start at 5pm today and go until 10pm in all Emirates.
Even though the tickets for all the different countdown events are sold out, those who could not get any of the free tickets on time can still catch up with all the exciting action taking place across the UAE today by tuning in to Dubai TV for live coverage of the Dubai event from 7pm. Those who have tickets, here’s what you can expect at each event:
BURJ PARK, DOWNTOWN DUBAI
As well as Mariah Carey, Hussain Al Jassmi and Shraddha Kapoor, those lucky enough to have secured tickets for the Dubai event will enjoy tunes from Khalifa Nasser, Shamma Hamdan, Abri and Funk Radius, and DJ Bliss. Visitors will also witness a special countdown show on the Burj Khalifa at 20:20 (8.20pm) to mark one year until the next World Expo. Five UAE-based musicians representing a mix of genres have created a special track marking One Year to Go and the group will perform the track live at the event. A live broadcast of the headliners as they perform in Dubai and the countdown LED show on Burj Khalifa will be streamed to the festivities in the other six emirates.
LOUVRE ABU DHABI
The bill will include pop singer Sandra Sahi, who has amassed more than six million YouTube views with her songs 'Coconut' and 'Hala Bre7at Hel'i, soulful North Carolina native Stephon Lamar and award-winning singer-songwriter Layla Kardan, plus the classical sounds of Emirati Trio. Also present will be DJ Kaboo, Zambian speed painter Victor Sitali, art collective The Domino, painter Chinedu Eneogwe (aka Wisdom) and MCs Enjy Kiwan and Mo El Torky.
AL MAJAZ WATERFRONT, SHARJAH
Performing live in Sharjah will be Indian band ROOH, who featured on the soundtrack to 2017 Hindi movie Julie 2, classically trained singer and pianist Clarita de Quiroz, the diverse and harmonious Benna Duo, Egyptian oud player Rami Zaki, Pakistani poet Namal Siddiqui, artist and designer Ahd Hany and MC Hassan Alsheikh.
AJMAN MUSEUM:
Wowing visitors at the Ajman celebration will be an Arabic fusion band, pop-rock musician Hydyy, Emirati soul singer Chakram, poet Storm Fernandes, artist Humaira Hussain and MC Mohammed Enaba.
UMM AL QUWAIN CORNICHE
Umm Al Quwain’s One Year to Go festivities will include As Per Casper, whose debut album 'Hit the Ground' topped the iTunes Middle East charts, singer and oud player Mohamed Hosny, poet Suhaib Alises, illustrator Dina Sami, an acoustic fusion band and MC Ibrahim Ustadi.
AL QAWASIM CORNICHE, RAS AL KHAIMAH:
The brilliantly named Nutella Riot, comprising singer-songwriter Noush Like Sploosh and guitarist Matt BLK, will offer fresh takes on pop classics. The evening’s entertainment will also feature the emotive Souldier the Artist, qanoon musician Ahmed Jarour, Palestinian-American spoken word performer Yaz Makh, Emirati artist Jaber Alhaddad and MC Abdulla Al Muhairi.
FUJAIRAH FORT:
Visitors can enjoy the music of Syrian singer-songwriter Ghaliaa, who in 2018 released her first singles Why, Praying and Kel El 3alam, Emirati rock artist BAFOORY and India’s Aman Sheriff, who has performed hundreds of shows from the UAE to Los Angeles, including opening for veteran pop-rockers The Stereophonics. Also appearing will be spoken word performer Adel Awad, mural artist Sijin Gopinathan and MC Rania Younes.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General, Expo 2020 Dubai, said “As we mark One Year to Go until the UAE welcomes the world to Expo 2020, these spectacular nationwide celebrations will usher in the final leg of a historic journey and a major achievement not only for Dubai, but for the entire UAE. Our One Year to Go festivities offer a window into the once-in-a-lifetime celebration that awaits from 20 October 2020. They are an opportunity for us to look forward to this momentous occasion for our young, dynamic nation as we prepare to see our leadership’s vision burst into life at Expo 2020 Dubai.”
EXPO 2020 Sustainability Theme
In line with Expo 2020’s sub theme of Sustainability, single-use plastic water bottles will not be sold at any of the celebrations. Instead, Expo 2020 will provide free drinking water and 98 per cent biodegradable and compostable paper water bottles to all visitors, performers and staff. Visitors are also encouraged to bring their own reusable drinking bottles.