Abu Dhabi: The world’s greatest show, Expo 2020, Dubai, came to an end on Thursday night with a star-studded closing ceremony, fireworks, airshows and musical performances.
With this, the Germany pavilion, one of the most talked about at the Expo 2020 also closed forever with Indians as its last visitors.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Indian expatriate Reslin Gafoor and her daughter Maryam on Thursday waited for five hours to get into the most popular—Germany pavilion at the Expo 2020.
After standing in line from 2 pm UAE time, they finally managed to get inside, and were greeted as the last visitors by the pavilion staff, Khaleej Times reported.
Soon after the pavilion announced that it has closed for the day.
Hundreds of people visited the Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday for last chance to explore more than 190 pavilions and the special closing shows.
Local media from the Gulf country, Lovin Dubai, took to Twitter, shared a video of the traffic jam and wrote, “It’s the LAST day of Expo 2020 Dubai and the city is flocking down to catch the very last glimpse of the site before it’s gone forever💔 The entertainment line-up for tonight’s closing ceremony is WILD, so if you’re heading down – try ditching your car for the metro!”
To make the finale of the world fair an amazing event, celebrations will run through the night, with a beautiful fireworks display, performances by great artists from all over the world and air shows, as the curtains come down on Expo tonight.
The closing ceromony kicked off with flag hoisting and musical performances.
Several pavilions switched off lights for a few minutes to mark the end of Expo 2020 Dubai. Shortly after the fireworks, pavilions were lit up again.
Indo-Belarusian Mira Singh returned to Al Wasl Dome for the outstanding closing ceremony.
11-year-old performance at the Expo 2020 closing ceremony has once again dazzled the world.
UAE officials passed the Expo flag on to the next organisers of the world fair, which will be held in Osaka, Japan, in 2025.
The closing ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza featured some outstanding performances by international pop star Christina Aguilera, singer-songwriter Norah Jones and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Thursday said that Expo 2020 Dubai offered the opportunity of “a new beginning” for the UAE and the world.
Dubai Media Office took to Twitter and shared a audio message delivered at the closing ceremony of the mega event, Sheikh Mohammed told the audience: “During the Expo 2020 Dubai journey, we portrayed to the world a different version of ingenuity that touched the hearts and minds of every member of society.
“Our sons and daughters have proven their ability to overcome unprecedented difficulties and challenges. And in every moment of this journey, we reflected the values of the UAE — values of affection and hospitality. Today is not the end of Expo 2020, but a new beginning.”
“The UAE and Dubai will continue, God willing, to be graceful and strong — and able to Connect Minds and Create the Future with this exceptional government, and the leadership of my brother Mohamed bin Zayed,” Sheikh Mohammed added.
Here’s how to watch
The ceremony, was live-streamed across giant screens at various sites, including the Jubilee Stage, Festival Garden, the country pavilions and the sports hubs.
Vistors from anywhere could also watch the closing ceremony via live stream, which was available from 7 pm UAE time (8:30 pm IST) on the virtual Expo website and Expo TV. It was also live-streamed from its website, YouTube channel and Facebook page.
