Dubai to hold Expo 2020’s two-year countdown in Burj Park

The two-year countdown to Expo 2020 Dubai, which will officially begin on Saturday, October 20, will be marked with a public celebration at Burj Park in Downtown Dubai.

Celebrations will include a specially choreographed show of the Dubai Fountain and a display on the Burj Khalifa façade at 8.20pm (2020).

The activity and entertainment programme will run from 5pm to 10pm in Burj Park and will include contemporary art exhibits, food choices, live music performances and world dance, a statement said.

A ‘Bridge of Moments’ will serve as an illuminated entrance, and people will be able to visit five zones – each representing a part of the Expo 2020 Dubai experience under its theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

Read: Video: Expo 2020 Dubai reveals design for final pavilion to be made with rope and stone

Expo 2020, the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, will run from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

Around 180 countries are expected to participate in the event, which will be the first where all the participating countries have their own pavilion. The Expo will also see participation from companies, NGOs and educational institutions.

It is expected to attract 25 million visits, with 70 per cent of visitors projected to come from outside the UAE – the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.