‘This Is Our Time,’ the official anthem of Expo 2020 Dubai was released on Tuesday. An ode to the event it celebrates the pride, faith, and unity of the world. The anthem produced by the Canadian Grammy Award winner Greg Wells features the generations of Arab talents.
Veteran pop star Hussain Al Jassmi, rising Emirati talent Almas, and Lebanese singer Mayssa Karaa have voiced the anthem. They also feature in the accompanying music video on the backdrop of gorgeous and glittering Expo sites.
The video starts with a beautiful aerial shot of Al Wasl Plaza, the heart of Expo 2020. The sound track is of Khaleeji percussion which then makes way for dance beats where synths and Middle Eastern strings intertwine. The visuals honor Nora Al Matroshi, the Arab World’s first female astronaut. This is in sync after the recent announcement that Emirati Nora Al Matrooshi, will be the first female astronaut from the Arab world.
Talking about the official anthem, Karaa, Berklee Abu Dhabi’s artistic director, hopes to inspire people of all ages and from all walks of life to follow their dreams. She will also be performing at Expo’s opening night concert further states, “Expo 2020 is a significant moment for the entire Arab world and for Arabs around the rest of the world,” she says.
Lyrics penned in both English and Arabic by the singer-songwriter Saif Fadhel honors the Expo’s unifying message. “We’ve come so far, but the future is ours to decide what we need.”
This is our time, and indeed it is.