Expo 2020 - Line-up of stars for grand opening revealed

The opening ceremony of the highly anticipated Expo 2020 will take spectators on a journey across the Expo’s subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability, showcasing the deep-rooted values of the UAE and the vision and purpose of the Expo.

Stars from around the world and top homegrown talent will be opening the Expo 2020 Dubai on September 30. Al Wasl Plaza will be dazzling with celebrities like world-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli and British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding.

Tareq Ghosheh, chief event and entertainment officer, Expo 2020 Dubai said, “This is the ‘big bang’ that sets the scene for 182 days of visually striking and emotionally inspiring experiences, as we invite visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world.”

It also features ‘Artist of Arabs’ Mohamed Abdo, much-loved Emirati singing sensation ‘Fananat Al Arab’ Ahlam Alshamsi; Emirati Artist and Expo 2020 Dubai Ambassador Hussain Al Jassmi, a trendsetter on the Khaleeji music scene in the Middle East and Internationally; rising UAE singer-songwriter Almas; and Grammy-nominated Lebanese-American singer Mayssa Karaa.

Event organisers have been co-curating and co-producing the collaborative spectacle. The wider team is led by Scott Givens, executive producer and CEO of FiveCurrents, whose credits include 62 iconic ceremonies, including the most Olympic ceremonies ever. It also features Franco Dragone, the acclaimed artistic director behind ground-breaking productions such as La Perle and Cirque du Soleil; and Jared Sweet, award-winning creative director behind ceremonies spanning six countries.