Dubai opens Middle East's first World Fair

After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Section:Gallery

Fri., Oct. 1, 2021

Acrobats on stilts perform at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
A visitor takes a selfie with a wandering robot at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
A man walks through a foggy mist simulating climbing a mountain inside Switzerland's pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
The Water Feature is seen at sunset on Friday at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
In this Aug. 8, 2021 satellite photo taken by Planet Labs Inc., the site of Expo 2020 is seen in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Delayed a year over the coronavirus pandemic, Dubai's Expo 2020 opens this Friday. It will put this city-state all-in on its bet of billions of dollars that the world's fair will boost its economy.

Planet Labs Inc.
Former American President Thomas Jefferson's Quran, which has been used by American politicians at swearing-in ceremonies, sits on display at the U.S. pavilion at the Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
Zeleros premieres hyperloop vehicle is presented during a media tour at Spain Pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
An acrobat on stilts performs at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
A woman poses for a photograph as water pours down the Water Feature at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
A woman wearing a black niqab walks in front of Switzerland's pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
Qataris take part in a traditional sword dance at the opening of the Qatar pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
People pass by the Spain pavilion during the first day of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
People visit an interior exhibition at the Japan pavilion during the first day of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
Artists carry national flags during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
Journalists visit the Dinamo, an audiovisual installation specifically designed for the Spain Pavilion, during a media tour of Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
Journalists visit the Spain Pavilion themed Intelligence For Life at the Expo 2020 Dubai, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
People visit the Japan pavilion during the first day of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
A woman carries the flag of the Expo Dubai 2020 among other national flags during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Expo 2020, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
Daniel Canogar visual artist, top left, waves during a media tour presenting Dinamo, an audiovisual installation specifically designed for the Spain Pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
People walk past the Al Wasl Dome as it is lit at night at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
People visit an interior exhibition at the Japan pavilion during the first day of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
Expo 2020 is seen at sunset in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
A woman on stilts performs at the Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East’s first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
A 3D re-production of Michelangelo's David is on display at the Italy's pavilion of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
Visitors take photos of the 3D re-production of Michelangelo's David at the Italy's pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
The United Arab Emirates' pavilion is seen at sunset at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
The Al Wasl Dome is seen at sunset at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
Journalists visit the Spain Pavilion themed of Intelligence For Life presented at the Expo 2020 Dubai, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
Dancers perform at a ceremony at the Kuwait pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
Daniel Canogar visual artist, left, and composer Francisco López, watch the Dinamo, an audiovisual installation specifically designed for the Spain Pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
Mark Fuller, the CEO of Los Angeles-based firm WET, watches the Water Feature made by his company at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
Thomas Jefferson's Quran, which has been used by American politicians at swearing-in ceremonies, sits on display at the U.S. pavilion at the Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
A man takes a selfie inside a display in Egypt's pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
A troop of performers dressed as jaguars come out of an elevator at the Brazil pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
A family takes a photo in front of Switzerland's pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
An acrobat performs at the Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
People pass by the Saudi Arabia pavilion, which has a mirror ceiling, during the first day of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
People pass by the Italia pavilion during the first day of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
People watch a show at the Japan pavilion during the first day of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
People visit the Japan pavilion during the first day of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
A troop of performers dressed as jaguars pose near the water at the Brazil pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press
People visit the Russia pavilion during the first day of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
A family watch a show at the Japan pavilion during the first day of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
A man takes a video Friday inside the Russia pavilion during the first day of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
People pass by the Saudi Arabia pavilion with a mirror ceiling during the first day of the Dubai Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct, 1, 2021.

Kamran Jebreili Associated Press
A crowd gathers around the casket of the priest Psamtik inside Egypt's pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first ever World Fair opened on Friday in Dubai, with hopes the months-long extravaganza draws both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape.

Jon Gambrell Associated Press