DUBAI: Crowds gathered at different locations in the UAE on Sunday night to mark the one-year countdown to Expo 2020 in October next year, with host emirate Dubai staging a spectacular concert, topped by a light projection on the iconic Burj Khalifa.
American superstar Mariah Carey was the star of the night, which also saw performances from regional artists including Khalifa, Shamma Hamdan, Abri and Funk Radius, Showcase and Jaysus Zain. The audience also grooved to a few Arabic tunes from Emirati singer Hussain Al-Jassmi.
Emirati singer @7sainaljassmi serenades the #Dubai crowd at Burj Park for the one-year count down to #Expo2020 https://t.co/VoxHFuJlPQ pic.twitter.com/AEMjsdRPaN
— Arab News (@arabnews) October 20, 2019
A make-shift stage was set up at the Burj Park in Dubai’s downtown area to host the performances, while people also enjoyed a good view of the tallest building in the world. The countdown was facilitated by Emirati social media sensation Khalid Al-Ameri and Bollywood actress Shraddah Kapoor.
A 3-minute firework display lit up the skies of Dubai as the crowd eagerly waited for Carey to appear on stage.
Dubai begins its countdown to #Expo2020 at Burj Park with an eye-catching projection on the Burj Khalifa @expo2020dubai https://t.co/VoxHFuJlPQ pic.twitter.com/FlwMRAKs1G
— Arab News (@arabnews) October 20, 2019
The 49-year-old singer sang her all-time favorite songs, including “Emotion,” “We Belong Together,” and a revival of the Motown classic “I’ll Be There,” to an enthusiastic audience who did not mind the heat and humidity at the outdoor venue.
Global superstar @MariahCarey hits the stage at #Dubai’s Burj Park, as the UAE begins its one-year countdown to #Expo2020 @expo2020dubai https://t.co/VoxHFuJlPQ pic.twitter.com/9WlYu0oDco
— Arab News (@arabnews) October 20, 2019
The other six emirates also marked the occasion with free-for-all activities in venues such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah, Ajman Museum, Umm Al Quwain Corniche, Al Qawasim Corniche in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah Fort.
The events, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Expo 2020 Director-General Reem Al-Hashimy said, will “offer a window into the once-in-a-lifetime celebration that awaits from October 20, 2020.”
“The next 12 months will see us put the finishing touches to ensure an exceptional World Expo,” she added, in a report by state-run WAM.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi featured YouTube sensation Sandra Sahi, as well as singers Stephon Lemar, Layla Kardan and the Emirati Trio.
Indian band ROOH, singer and pianist Clarita de Quiroz, Egyptian oud player Rami Zaki and other regional artists celebrated the count down at Sharjah’s Al Marjaz waterfront.
While the Ajman Museum hosted Arabic fusion band, pop-rock musician Hydyy, Emirati soul singer Chakram, poet Storm Fernandes, artist Humaira Hussain and MC Mohammed Enaba.
The six-month Expo 2020, to be held at a vast new site in the south of Dubai, will officially open on Oct. 20 next year, with organizers expecting an estimate of 25 million visitors.
